Face ID replacing Touch ID authorisation

[latts]

Hi

Just wanted the thoughts on how Apple intends to replace TouchID authorisation on the iPhone 8 with FaceID? not from the user's perspective but from the point of the banks and other institutions that have incorporated it into their apps for authentication.

As was pointed out here:
"Yes, I’m quite happy to accept that Apple could have developed an infrared face-recognition system that’s good enough to be used to unlock the phone. But Apple Pay has been sold to banks and retailers on the basis of the proven security of Touch ID. Swapping this out for a completely new and unproven face-recognition system would be, at the very least, controversial. I’d expect some searching questions to be asked by banks and merchants alike."

Apple has convinced banks etc of its use and security but this has taken some time for some banks to come onboard. Will we now see those apps no longer working on the new iPhone and instead we have to go back to PIN codes or will Apple simply swap TouchID for FaceID in the authentication process and will the banks allow this?

Interesting to see how Apple handles this as TouchID has become such an integral part of the iPhone experience now , not just with unlocking the phone but with checking bank balances and authorising payments.

An interesting aspect of the Keynote I'm waiting to hear explained.

 

[Technarchy]

No one really knows. It’s all rumor. Personally I have a hard time believing Apple is scrapping Touch ID.

Touch ID = iPhone. Would be crazy for it to be ditched so soon.

Then again...courage...

 

[Jinjin]

This falls in to two areas

Apple Pay
Clearly apple pay is not going anywhere and if as rumoured touchID is on its way out for the new flagship phone; it would be beyond belief if Apple hasn't already done some work already to reassure financial institutions about 'FaceID'. But would it have reached out to all banks and would they have enough confidence or had enough time to be happy? Do banks even get to decide? If a card is set up for apple pay already, reinstalling a backup of a previous device onto the new phone would enable the card on that phone too.

Remember Apple Pay does not required TouchID, you can use passcode as well. I feel it may fall back to that until providers are happy proceed.

App Authentication
Similar to the above, Apps which rely on touch ID for authentication will most likely fall back to passcode or similar to a device which does not support touch ID or have it enabled. Given the APIs will be new, it will likely be down to individual providers to update apps and carry out any specific testing/assurance for 'FaceID'


As with TouchID, it might take a little time but the banks will get there! I do worry that the hardware will need to mature as TouchID did over a number of years to really refine it to what it is today on the 7.

I'm looking forward to seeing how Apple have made 'FaceID' work in all the scenarios a simple resting of your finger works so well.

* the mechanics of authorising apple pay payments
* unlocking when on a desk
* not unlocking just because I happened to be looking in the direction of my phone

regardless its exciting times for Apple and I sense some real innovation in this space to provide a robust facial recognition system.

 

[latts]

Remember Apple Pay does not required TouchID, you can use passcode as well. I feel it may fall back to that until providers are happy proceed.

That's what I said up above!

Will we now see those apps no longer working on the new iPhone and instead we have to go back to PIN codes or will Apple simply swap TouchID for FaceID in the authentication process and will the banks allow this?

To me it just seems strange that apps that use TouchID "could" potentially not work with that or some other form of similar authentication other than a code being typed in on a top of line phone. That's my point, because if - as we both said - banks etc are going to not use this straight out of the box and we have to wait that is a major step back for those used to using that functionality. Passcodes aside when you're using functionality and then can't - no matter what the reason - its a real turn off for a top of the line device.

 

[Jinjin]

That's what I said up above!
no matter what the reason - its a real turn off for a top of the line device.

Agreed, but we know how this plays out.. Everyone will be smitten by FaceId or whatever it will be called and the anger/pressure will be against the app developers and banks to incorporate this into their apps. Apple will come out smelling of roses

 

[latts]

Have to say from my point of view if this does happen - and TouchID apps don't work - the ball is firmly in Apple's court for blame!

 

[Jinjin]

Have to say from my point of view if this does happen - and TouchID apps don't work - the ball is firmly in Apple's court for blame!

its the whole headphone socket palaver again.. Apple will call it innovation and evolution and users will have to deal with it. I have a number of apps.. banking, OTP/SSO apps, password managers etc which would be impacted by the loss of Touch ID.

will it be an inconvenience? Yes. Will I deal with it? happily

lets see how Tuesday plays out!

 

[arkitect]

I'm looking forward to seeing how Apple have made 'FaceID' work in all the scenarios a simple resting of your finger works so well.
* the mechanics of authorising apple pay payments
* unlocking when on a desk
* not unlocking just because I happened to be looking in the direction of my phone

Same here.
Sometimes I just lift my phone to see what the time is etc, no need to unlock it. If I have my phone lying on my desk and I inadvertently look towards it and it starts unlocking… how odd would that be.
Hopefully the teething problems will be few and far between.

 

[ImBuz]

It will make absolutely no difference---come on think this thing through
It is not rocket science--it will work !!

 

[CTHarrryH]

If they force people to enter PIN it will be viewed as a terrible step backwards. Face recognition assuming it is accepted by financial institutions would be accepted as step forward. One of the reasons I'm going to wait for a new phone is to see how whatever solution works.
For me ApplePay only really works about 60% of the time - always works at some places and almost never at others.