The Google Pixel 6 has been touted by Google as being “a new standard for mobile security”, and makes use of multiple technologies like TrustZone that are processed using a dedicated Titan M2 security chip. However, even with all of that security prowess, Google has seemingly overlooked the most basic aspect with its Pixel 6 series that keeps phones secure – the fingerprint scanner.
A Redditor recently posted a video of his Pixel 6 fingerprint unlock in action. The video quite clearly shows that the device has only one finger registered. But upon handing the phone over to his wife, he found that she was able to unlock it as well – with her unregistered fingerprint.
Other Redditors chimed in saying they’ve observed similar peculiarities, and many have begun to ask if the Google Pixel 6 series’ fingerprint hardware itself isn’t up to the mark.
This comes not long after an influx of complaints about the fingerprint sensor being frustratingly slow and even unresponsive. Google had responded by saying that the “enhanced security algorithms” are to blame as they may take longer to authenticate users’ fingerprints – quite ironic to say for a phone that gives a green light to unregistered fingerprints.
Google is yet to respond to the issue. And while we wait for the California-based tech giant to come up with something clever to say, let’s take the matters into our own hands and try to pinpoint the source of trouble.
So, the Pixel 6 series makes use of the now-dated optical in-display fingerprint scanner tech that works by reflecting light off of your finger. While it’s more economical, it’s not necessarily the most accurate and speediest.
The newer ultrasonic in-display fingerprint scanner tech first featured on the Samsung Galaxy S10 series is known to be a faster and more reliable alternative as it uses inaudible sound waves instead of light. This enables it to work quite well even through dirt, oil, grime, or water.
Had Google opted for an ultrasonic fingerprint, it’s likely that this problem would never have existed in the first place.
Another potential culprit has been pointed out by none other than the Redditors in the same post. The idea is that screen protectors may retain the fingerprint of a user on the underside and trigger phantom fingerprint detection. This may be possible but is unlikely considering a fingerprint will have to be left in the perfect location.
Regardless, Google needs to address the problem through software optimization if possible and as soon as possible. Security flaws like these, after all, don’t mean well for the image of a phone marketed as going big on security, and may even impact sales.
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