Google has introduced a new way to verify your identity to log in to your account – Selfie Video, specifically designed for situations where the user has lost their password or does not have access to a smartphone, PC, or two-factor authentication applications.
As the name suggests, the feature allows you to log in to your account by showing a video of your face using your smartphone or PC camera. Google will compare it to a previously saved recording and verify that the real owner is requesting the login.
During setup, the user will be asked to look into the camera and perform a few simple head movements following on-screen prompts. This allows the system to capture images from different angles. The feature works in a similar way to Apple's Face ID setup, but without the additional infrared sensors.
Google emphasizes that the reference video is recorded and stored in the cloud in encrypted form. That is, it is not tied only to the device on which it was created, but is accessible through the user's account. If necessary, the recording can be deleted in the account settings.
By default, Selfie Video will only be used for account login, but users can grant permissions for "additional" purposes. Google says it uses multiple layers of protection against impersonation attempts using images or deepfakes, as well as standard security mechanisms to block suspicious logins.
Selfie Video for login is not yet activated in Ukraine, but Google's blog notes that the feature is gradually rolling out to users around the world.
