Some banking apps won’t get Face ID support anytime soon

Nov 21, 2017 05:27 GMT  ·  By

Apple replaced Touch ID fingerprint recognition on the anniversary iPhone X with a facial recognition system called Face ID, and even though the company claims a 1:1,000,000 chance for someone else to unlock the device, tests have proven the technology is far from flawless.

Face ID security concerns have made banks delay a decision on whether their mobile apps should include facial recognition for authentication and payments, with several claiming Apple hasn’t yet demonstrated the new technology is more secure than Touch ID.

A report from Korea Herald claims that no less than 20 local banks have so far expressed concerns over Face ID, especially after recent tests that revealed the system can by bypassed by lookalike people, twins, and hackers with specially-crafted masks.

“It was difficult for us to adopt the biometric technology (of iPhone X) abruptly, since it normally takes some time to undergo several security procedures before adopting a new technology. Plus, the phone’s facial authentication technology was not fully proven,” an official of Kookmin Bank has been quoted as saying.

Face ID forced on mobile banking apps

On the other hand, there are several banks, both in the United States and worldwide, which confirmed that Face ID would be added to their online banking apps sometime in the near future.

Right now, banking apps that come with Touch ID support are forced by the API to switch to Face ID on the iPhone X, though a notification is displayed that the facial recognition system isn’t supported. The feature does work for authentication and payments, but apps require full support to be added by the banks for top-notch security and Face ID compatibility.

Until now, however, Face ID reception hasn’t been the best, especially given all the tests that have demonstrated it could be compromised with the necessary know-how and resources. Rumor has it that Face ID would be added to all iPhone models next year, with Touch ID very unlikely to return to Apple’s flagships.