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WhatsApp to Require Face ID or Touch ID When Linking Accounts to Web and Desktop Apps

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WhatsApp will soon require biometric authentication to link a WhatsApp account to a computer web browser or desktop app, reports The Verge.

whatsapp-link-account.jpg

The mobile app uses a QR code to link a user account to a web browser or desktop app, but the company wants to make the process more secure so that it can't be done by anyone who happens to gain access to your iPhone.

The new system will be enabled by default on iPhones running iOS 14 with either Touch ID or Face ID, meaning you'll have to authenticate to link your account unless you've disabled the biometric features on your device, in which case the account linking process will work as usual.

It's worth pointing out that the biometric authentication is an on-device process on iPhones, therefore WhatsApp (and Apple, for that matter) has no access to your biometric information. WhatsApp is simply making the change so that it's harder for someone else to link your account to a web browser or desktop app, which would allow them to see any messages you send or receive.

WhatsApp told The Verge that the new update will roll out for compatible iPhones in the coming weeks.

Article Link: WhatsApp to Require Face ID or Touch ID When Linking Accounts to Web and Desktop Apps
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2021/01/28/whatsapp-linking-accounts-face-id-touch-id/
Whilst they ARE untrustworthy, in order for the people that point out they are untrustworthy they themselves should be trustworthy in the first place. Please re-read (or read for the first time) the article to find out why your statement is false.
 
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That feature is indeed already available in settings today. FB algorithms analyse your face using face recognition compares it to the pictures on your FB account, raises the match accuracy through FaceID or fingerprint ID, builds relationship maps based on all your contacts incl phone and email just to offer you personalised advertisement on toilet paper that you love.
 
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Ensirius said:
There is no way I am trusting Facebook with my fingerprint and face data.
Click to expand...
And there is no way you can. Face ID and Touch ID biometric data NEVER leaves your device.

This was discussed and sorted out years ago when the iPhone 5s was released with Touch ID, and when the iPhone X came out with Face ID. How are you still thinking this?
 
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This is a good reason why we do not need the government meddling with popularity contests of social media apps. Companies like Facebook do a pretty good job messing with them in ways that makes consumers seek different options all on their own.
 
That’s how much people don’t trust Facebook right now. They automatically assume everything is being taken and sold by them
 
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How "secure" is on device biometric data? Can it truly be used as a "this-is-the-real-person" authentication? Or is it just safe as a password?

Also - does anyone know if the Face ID API ever came out?
 
AmazeSE said:
To say it simply. Yes what you wrote is not true.
No one even Apple does not have access to Face ID or Touch ID data. It is stored in the Secure Enclave of A- series processor in your iPhone.
Click to expand...
I never claimed FaceID data or any biometric data will be read and transmitted, its also unlikely because it seems pretty secure and Apple would not share it, at least they claim. But, there is no need to. The mere fact FaceID technology is being used to unlock, confirms the owners presence. As of now, only one user can use FaceID to unlock the phone. Since its linked with all kinds of identifiers, that information can be matched up and being used to build relationship maps. Thats enough to make a users profiles and relationship maps and more accurate.

You bet, if it would not be valuable, Facebook would not include it in the app after all.
 
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Completely unfair; if one doesn't want to use biometric identification he or she has to be able to still use the app.
I know we're in the 21st century and biometric identification is fast and convenient, but almost all pieces of software (including iOS and macOS) allow the user to use traditional systems such as passcodes, pins and passwords.

Anyway I have been on a long-time detaching process from anything related to Facebook; I deleted my Facebook account in 2014 and I'm slowly completely abandoning whatsapp (my friends are already all on Signal and Telegram, but I'm having trouble making the family switch to a new application).
 
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darkpaw said:
And there is no way you can. Face ID and Touch ID biometric data NEVER leaves your device.

This was discussed and sorted out years ago when the iPhone 5s was released with Touch ID, and when the iPhone X came out with Face ID. How are you still thinking this?
Click to expand...
I'm aware of how Apple's biometric stuff works, and even I still get creepy feelings whenever I see apps like these start using that data
 
Already deleted Facebook and WhatsApp. Moved to Signal/iMessage for all messaging and the only social media presence I have left is Gab which is great for finally getting uncensored news and opinion. It's like Twitter before Twitter became s*** and a left wing echo chamber.
 
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