MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.–For credit unions on the lookout for the latest technologies for identifying and verifying members, Google is now allowing users to sign into their accounts by taking videos of themselves.
In a new blog post, the company said, “Selfie video is a new way to get into your account, giving you more options if you’re ever locked out or don’t have access to your usual phone or computer.”
According to Google, to set up a video, users look into their devices camera and make a few “short, guided head movements” to capture multiple angles. If users have trouble logging in at a later date, they can take another selfie to access their account, the blog post explained.
Multiple Security Levels
Google said its new feature employs multiple security levels to prevent impersonation attempts through the use of deepfake photos or videos. Moreover, Google said that in addition to its standard security measures against suspicious sign-ins, it also matches users’ videos against their saved selfie and requires them to perform “simple movements” to verify the video is live.
“Your selfie video is yours and you’re in control. It is recorded and securely stored with your consent, and you can delete it at any time in your Google Account,” Google explained in the blog post. “It’s used only for helping you sign in, unless you opt to share it for additional purposes. Your selfie video is encrypted at rest, meaning it’s securely stored even when it’s not being used.”
