The newly announced Google Pixel 4 boasts a fancy camera array, the ability to control your phone with the wave of your hand and face unlock that works even when your eyes are closed.
Wait. That last point is incredibly worrying and a major privacy concern. In fact, it is an incredibly big flaw for a company as big as Google.
In their pursuit to do away with fingerprint scanners and go the Apple route of solely using Face ID to secure your phone, the Pixel 4’s facial recognition software is not as secure as we initially thought.
This is a paramount concern, as our mobile devices hold treasure troves of personal information, devices need to remain secure to ensure this information does not fall into the wrong hands.
For Apple’s Face ID, the feature only works if your eyes are open and looking directly at the device, that essentially ensures that you are well and aware that you are unlocking your device.
Proof, for those asking #madebygoogle #pixel4 pic.twitter.com/mBDJphVpfB
— Chris Fox (@thisisFoxx) October 15, 2019
In the Pixel 4’s case, someone could potentially hold the phone in front of your face as you are asleep (or worse…shudder) and unlock your device.
Far from a massive PR nightmare, this is but a small problem for Google. One way around this oversight from Google is to turn off face unlock and use the good old pattern or pin password to secure your device.
With any luck, Google should patch this security loop hole in a future software update.
