Major technology companies Microsoft, Google, and Apple are driving widespread adoption of passkeys as an alternative to traditional passwords, leveraging biometric authentication methods like facial recognition and fingerprint scanning for enhanced security and user convenience. The initiative builds on the FIDO Alliance standards that these companies have been developing since 2019.
The initiative, which began with a joint announcement by the three tech giants in 2022, has now reached full implementation across all major platforms. Users can access passkey functionality through their devices’ built-in biometric systems, enabling seamless authentication across various services and applications. Microsoft has recently announced plans to implement passkeys for over one billion users in response to a 200 percent increase in cyberattacks.
The movement has gained significant industry support, with Visa partnering with the FIDO Alliance to implement biometrics-based authentication in payments through Visa Payment Passkeys. The technology connects account credentials directly to devices, allowing users to authenticate payments using the same biometric methods they employ to unlock their devices. The development follows Mastercard’s announcement to phase out passwords entirely by 2030.
Visa’s executive chairman Alfred F. Kelly has emphasized the importance of this technological shift, noting that governments should consider factors including digital literacy, infrastructure readiness, and security schemes when developing digital identity strategies.
Microsoft has taken a leading role in promoting passkey adoption, actively encouraging users to eliminate traditional passwords entirely. Google has similarly integrated passkeys throughout its service ecosystem to enhance security and user experience, including recent updates to strengthen its two-factor authentication system with biometric verification requirements.
In the biometric authentication space, companies like IDEX Biometrics ASA are developing specialized cards and solutions that combine FIDO-based biometric login with door reading protocols. These solutions have received certification from major payment networks including Visa and Mastercard. Enterprise solutions providers like Thales have launched dedicated FIDO key management platforms to help organizations deploy passkeys at scale.
The technology offers enhanced protection against phishing attacks, as biometric authentication methods cannot be compromised through traditional password theft techniques. Additionally, passkeys eliminate the need for users to manage and remember multiple complex passwords or handle password reset procedures, addressing a major pain point in digital security that has plagued users and organizations for decades.
Sources: FIDO Alliance, Phone World
Follow Us