Google now lets you log into your account with a selfie

Google has introduced a new account recovery option that lets users verify their identity with a selfie video, stored encrypted on its servers. The feature is not available for Workspace accounts, child accounts, or those enrolled in Google's Advanced Protection Program. An optional toggle allows Google to use the video to improve facial recognition technology, but the company says it is not required for the recovery feature.

Getting locked out of an account is no fun. Google has a few ways to help you regain access if you happen to forget your password or lose an authenticator, including recovery contacts and backup codes. Now, Google has a completely new option: your face https://blog.google/innovation-and-ai/technology/safety-security/selfie-video-sign-in/ . You can now give Google a video record of your face and sign into your account with a selfie, which sounds like something people are going to just love. You’ll have to set this feature up ahead of time if you want the option of regaining account access with a selfie later on. To get started, verify your account type is supported. You won’t be able to configure selfie sign-ins for Workspace accounts, child accounts, or any account enrolled in Google’s Advanced Protection Program. Configuring selfie sign-in requires you to record a video, which Google will store on its servers. Google’s selfie sign-in landing page https://myaccount.google.com/video-verification/signin/precollection?utm source=kw&utm medium=blog&utm campaign=selfielaunch includes the typical disclaimers about privacy and data access, promising that the company will keep the video encrypted and won’t use it for any other purposes unless you opt in. Selfie videos can be used for login purposes, to verify your age for accessing certain account features, and to create an AI avatar. Currently, Google does have an optional toggle in the setup flow that allows the company to use your selfie video to improve its facial recognition tech. A Google spokesperson confirms this is not required to use the new account recovery feature, and the company will not use the video for anything else if you leave the box unchecked.