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Face ID has been around for a relatively short time. Facial recognition secures our data and makes it accessible only to us. We have explored this technology and gathered all the essential information to provide insight into its complex mechanics and potential security risks.
Face ID – How Secure Is Facial Recognition?
Since November 2017, it has become an integral part of identity verification in most modern smartphones – Face ID. A small technological marvel that allows us to protect our digital privacy with just a quick glance at a highly advanced camera. Apple’s Face ID is not the only facial recognition technology. Other manufacturers like Samsung, Google, Huawei, and Xiaomi also use similar methods. However, there are significant differences in security. While Apple and some high-end android models use 3D facial recognition, many other Android smartphones rely on simple 2D recognition, which is easier to bypass. But how exactly does facial recognition work? What are the differences, and how secure is it really?
How Does Facial Recognition Work?
Face ID and similar technologies are based on a specialized camera system that scans a user’s face and stores it as a biometric key. There are two main methods: 2D facial recognition and 3D facial recognition. With 2D facial recognition, the face is captured using a regular front-facing camera. This method is fast but can easily be fooled by photos or videos. That’s why many mid-range Android smartphones use this technology, even though it is relatively insecure.
The more secure alternative is 3D facial recognition, which uses a depth camera. This camera projects up to 30,000 invisible infrared dots onto the user’s face. An infrared sensor then measures the reflections of these points and creates a detailed 3D model of the face. Apple and some Android smartphones use this technology to increase security. With 3D recognition, the smartphone stores the face model and compares it with the user’s current face each time it is used. If there is no match, access remains denied.
How Do 2D and 3D Facial Recognition Differ in Terms of Security?
The security of facial recognition strongly depends on the type of technology used. 3D facial recognition, as used by Apple and some Android devices, is particularly secure. The probability of an unauthorized person unlocking the device is 1 in 1,000,000. Additionally, it recognizes the user even in different lighting conditions or when wearing glasses or a beard, and it protects against manipulation with photos or masks. Even tests with high-quality Hollywood masks – extremely detailed 3D replicas of faces – have failed to bypass Face ID. 2D facial recognition, which is found in many Android devices, is less secure because it can often be fooled with photos or videos. Although it works faster, it requires direct eye contact and is often not approved for banking apps or payment services due to security concerns. For comparison: The likelihood of someone bypassing a fingerprint sensor is 1 in 50,000. This means that 3D facial recognition is up to 20 times more secure than a fingerprint scan.
What Are Other Problems With Facial Recognition?
One of the biggest challenges for facial recognition was the COVID-19 pandemic, as Face ID and similar technologies initially did not work with masks. Apple later released an update to improve this, but many 2D systems still struggled. Additionally, not all systems offer the same level of security. While Apple and some high-end Android smartphones use 3D scanning, many Android devices only rely on a basic 2D camera, which can easily be fooled. Another issue is bright sunlight, which can be a challenge for infrared cameras. Direct light and reflections can sometimes hinder accurate facial recognition.
The Future of Facial Recognition
The technology is constantly evolving, and future improvements could further enhance security and user convenience. AI support may help recognize faces even when wearing masks or in partial lighting conditions. Additionally, 3D facial recognition could become more common in Android smartphones to raise the security standard.
One particularly interesting development would be the combination of fingerprint and facial recognition to provide maximum security.
Which Method Do You Prefer? Facial Recognition or Fingerprint? Let Us Know!
Responsible for the content of this article is Lion Maxym Hovestadt
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