Google confirms its new security system may unlock a person’s device even if their eyes are shut.
Eyes Wide Shut hey Google. WTF?!
This is not ideal. It’s not as bad as Samsung’s $5 screen-protector issue but it’s still pretty fucking bad.
Unlike Apple’s FaceID the new Face Unlock feature on the Pixel 4 will automatically unlock your phone when presented with the correct face regardless of the user’s eyes being opened or closed.
Despite being an option to disable on the iPhone Apple have stated the initial requirement to have a user’s eyes open is to increase security and ensure the user unlocking the phone is in fact the owner wanting to do so.
Google on the other hand are living in a dream world and feel “Pixel 4 Face Unlock meets the security requirements as a strong biometric.”
The company even goes a step further confirming the glaring security issue on their support website stating, “Your phone can also be unlocked by someone else if it’s held up to your face, even if your eyes are closed.”
Whilst the feature could be later added in a security or software update, Google’s Face Unlock feature will greatly be undermined by the lack of such an important stipulation.
Source: Google Pixel 4 Face Unlock works if eyes are shut – BBC News