Step aside Apple, Facebook wants in on facial recognition.
The social media giant is working on a face scanning feature that’ll let users regain access to their accounts if they get locked out, according to a report from TechCrunch. Facebook confirmed the report, saying the feature would be used alongside two-factor verification for logging a user back into their account if they forget their username or password.
This could be useful if you can’t receive an SMS message or access your email to complete two-factor authentication—just don’t expect to use it to log in anytime soon.
The feature was first discovered by social media researcher Devesh Logendran (a pseudonym) who showed The Next Web’s Matt Navarra. You can see how setting up Facebook’s facial recognition may look in the screenshot below.
NEW! Facebook working on a facial recognition feature to help secure your account
— Matt Navarra (I quit X. Follow me on Threads) (@MattNavarra) September 29, 2017
h/t Devesh Logendran pic.twitter.com/demol4dKj1
Facebook said it’s currently testing the verification method, and that the “optional feature” would only work on devices that user’s had previously logged into.
Facial recognition technology has seen hash criticism over the past few months after smartphone giants Samsung and Apple added it to their devices. Things got off to a rocky start when curious users easily fooled the facial recognition found in the Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy Note 8. And while the Face ID feature in the iPhone X hasn’t been publicly tested, some users are concerned about its security and privacy.
If you’re one of those people, don’t worry, Facebook’s version will be optional. The social giant said the feature is currently undergoing testing, but did not provide a specific timeline for its release.
H/T the Verge