GoKawiilGoogle Accounts are gaining a new “selfie video” sign-in method that can be handy if you lose your phone or passkeys.
The set-up process involves looking at your device’s camera and completing a “few short, guided head movements to capture multiple angles.” This is supported on both mobile and desktop. Users with PCs that lack cameras can authenticate using their phones.
If locked out of your Google Account in the future, you just take another selfie video. Google will “match your video against your saved selfie and require you to perform simple movements to prove it’s a live video.”
Google touts “multiple layers of security” to help prevent fake photos or videos (deepfakes) and other impersonation attempts. Other security practices will detect suspicious sign-in attempts.
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You can delete the selfie video at any time, and it’s used just for signing in by default, though an optional opt-in lets data be used to improve verification methods.
Selfie is encrypted at rest, meaning it’s securely stored even when it’s not being used.
The selfie video method is for when you “don’t have access to your usual phone or computer.” It joins other methods like passkeys and recovery contacts, with Google recommending you set up multiple.
You can check whether your account is eligible and set up your selfie video today at g.co/signin-selfie.