face recognition

[royal855]

In a time like this, there should be facial recognition for masks meaning when you want to lock your phone and you are wearing a mask.

[Shazzkid]

Problem with that is there would be even less facial data to use. Just a bit of forehead, unless they have hair covering it, and a bit around the eyes, unless they wear glasses. It would be extremely insecure without implementing extra hardware.

[royal855]

but apple is apparently doing it

[JAMES4578]

Hi @royal855    yes, good idea.  According to this article it was possible to unlock wearing facemask on test with Galaxy S10 Plus by setting up the Alternate Look.  However by no means guaranteed with the current technology.   https://eu.usatoday.com/story/tech/2020/04/10/how-to-unlock-iphone-samsung-galaxy-phone-with-face-ma... 

[Shazzkid]

Apple's Face ID isn't that secure as it is. There have been numerous reports and testings that have shown Face ID being fooled by simple pictures and videos of a face, and even mask replicas of someone's face.

Currently their Face ID with a mask is going to work by using their TrueDepth camera to take a 3d model of your face AND you have to have an Apple watch series 3 or later connected and in proximity, to act as a 2nd factor of authentication. Sort of how "smart unlock" works on android, where if your phone is connected to a trusted device such as a car by Bluetooth, or a smart watch, the phone will remain unlocked as its in proximity. Apple is saying you must have an apple watch series 3 or later connected and in proximity AND then the face ID with mask will work.

Because with a mask on, you cut the available references points by over half, and so they need to compensate for this additional loss in security by adding an extra measure.
Expecting the Face ID alone with a mask on to be even close to as secure as without just isn't a real case scenario with the current hardware.

[Shazzkid]

That article is recommending people to use hacks to fool the facial recognition into merging your facial data with that of the mask too. This is extremely insecure and Apple have told users NOT to do this.

Don't recommend that to people.

[royal855]

thanks