Face Unlock is one of the flagship features of Ice Cream Sandwich, the latest version of Android announced earlier this week, and does exactly what it says on the tin -- lets you unlock your phone by holding it up to your face.
Except there's a chance it could be fooled by a picture of your mug.
SlashGear reports that Google has admitted the security system is still in its early stages, so could possibly be fooled by a picture of you rather than the real thing. It's a bit of a shame, seeing as the system is designed to recognise only your pre-registered face, rather than a PIN code, fingerprint, or, yes, a picture of you. So anyone with a photo of you, or maybe even just access to your Facebook photos, could potentially access your phone.
Indeed the technology has already been used for research companies to plunder Facebook profiles. It was developed by PittPatt, a startup originating from Carnegie Mellon University, which was subsequently acquired by Google.
When questioned as to the reliability of Face Unlock, a Google spokesperson told SlashGear that the feature "will only get better." They said using a photo to unlock your phone "might work," [their italics] because the technology is relatively young. Tim Bray, who works on Android, previously denied this was possible, responding to an accusation Face Unlock was hackable by saying, "Nope. Give us some credit."
We'll bring you a full verdict as soon as we get in the Samsung Galaxy Nexus to test. It's the first Android Ice Cream Sandwich handset to break cover, and so comes with Face Unlock, navigation buttons on the screen rather than physical buttons, and the ability to go to an app even when the phone is locked. Ice Cream Sandwich also has the ability to take screengrabs, resize widgets on the home screens, make wireless payments and contact other phones thanks to NFC.
Are you phased by this potential flaw in the phizzog recognition system? Hit us up at our Facebook page and let us know.
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Comments 10
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anonymous 21 October, 2011 08:50
What happens if you grow a beard?
Katie Collins 21 October, 2011 09:21
Excellent question -- I think the only way to know for sure is to incorporate fake facial hair, face paint, comedy noses etc into our extensive testing once we lay our hands on the Nexus.
anonymous 21 October, 2011 10:51
Isn't it just a huge gimmick?? Even if it works, which it didn't at the worldwide demo, ok, I've unlocked my phone. That was fun.
And people criticise Siri?? At least that DOES stuff.
anonymous 21 October, 2011 10:56
@Anon, It should still work as face recognition algorithms take care of it and they don't match your facial images pixel by pixel with the reference image.
anonymous 21 October, 2011 11:19
We managed to fool Visidon AppLock (In Android Market) with a video of the users face that was film on another Android Phone. A photo of the users face didn't work.
qwill 21 October, 2011 11:19
The modern mobile is an adult toy anyway ,gimmicks are inevitable to keep consumers satisfied.If you can call,email and text ,that's your phone,everything else IS a gimmick.I'm old enough to remember NOT having a mobile,and you know what? Everything was ok!!!
anonymous 21 October, 2011 11:34
It's simply a novelty. The other locking mechanisms are still there if you want the added security.
anonymous 21 October, 2011 12:25
@Anon 10:51
But what does Siri really do that a few taps on the screen can't accomplish? By your strange logic; that makes Siri a gimmick too.
Whereas this might be a gimmick right now; face recognition technology does have the potential to ultimately be the default method of unlocking phones...if they can sort out the problems. If they do that; I really don't think you could call it a gimmick then.
anonymous 21 October, 2011 21:00
What if it's Halloween and/or you get beaten up and need to use your phone to call the emergency services or someone to pick you up?
And where will this facial data go... could we see it being sent to Google so it will eventually be used for Minority Report style targeted ads on the high street?
anonymous 22 October, 2011 19:21
I had a screensaver on my PC over ten years ago that used my webcam to do this. It asked me to 'BLINK' or 'SMILE' before unlocking the PC
They just need to build this into it, which should be easy for them.