Tag: touch ID

New Apple mobile security patent could send fingerprints to the cloud

| January 21, 2015

A new filing has been spotted that could bring the data from Touch ID to other devices via the cloud.

The US Patent and Trademark Office published a patent filing from Apple that could have to do with part of its mobile security feature that collects fingerprints in order to unlock devices and conduct other functions through certain iPhone models.

The filing was called “Finger biometric sensor data synchronization via a cloud computing device and related methods”.

The patent described a method of recording an individual’s fingerprints by way of the Touch ID mobile security sensor from Apple, so this information could then be uploaded to the cloud and synced with other Apple devices. The sensor necessary for Touch ID has been built into Apple technology in its smartphones since the iPhone 5S, and in the iPads that have been released since that time in 2013. The sensor allows a device owner to use his or her fingerprints in order to access the device. However, more recently, it also became an identity verification feature when making purchases through the new mobile wallet system, Apple Pay.

This potential change to the mobile security feature is meant to help to make the system more convenient.

Mobile Security - Cloud TechnologyApple described in the patent filing that enrollment into Touch ID could potentially be “cumbersome for users in some instances, such as when multiple fingerprints, users and/or devices are used.” By synchronizing the process using a cloud based function, it would help to eliminate the need to re-register a device owner’s fingerprints on every device, in addition to the fingerprints of all of the other people who are to be given permission to access the iOS gadget.

At the time of the writing of this article, the Touch ID security page at Apple explained that “iOS and other apps never access your fingerprint data, it’s never stored on Apple servers, and it’s never backed up to iCloud or anywhere else.”

If that mobile security policy is to remain the same, it makes one wonder how this potential cloud synchronization technology could possible work, and how it could be safely applied in order to protect the data from the Touch ID feature.

Mobile banking with upgraded security rolled out by Tangerine

| October 7, 2014

This launch includes a new biometric ID system as well as the ability for the customer to use voice commands.

The Canadian online bank called Tangerine (formerly known as ING Direct) that offers services to customers in many countries around the world has now announced that its mobile banking apps will feature fingerprint recognition technology to enhance its security, as well as voice commands to improve the convenience of use over smartphones and tablets.

Tangerine believes that boosting their mobile security and ease of use will be greatly appealing to consumers.

According to the Tangerine president and chief executive officer, Peter Aceto, when it comes to mobile banking and their overall experience, the financial services company recognizes that people “want more control over their banking experience and our goal is to provide them with the ability to bank where they want, how they want and when they want.” He went on to add that “This is the future of banking, today.”

Over the coming weeks, these new features will be added to the Tangerine mobile banking app.

Mobile banking - fingerprint securityCustomers will be given the opportunity to use the Touch ID feature, which will allow them to take advantage of fingerprint recognition technology in conjunction with their password, in order to enhance the security of their smartphone banking experience. From there, the bank intends to watch the customer response to the use of this mobile security technology and to see how they feel about “sharing biometric information with us”

From that point, Tangerine will look into the degree to which current mobile security methods can be replaced by this type of technology. However, for the moment, Aceto says that “it’s just an additional level of security,” as opposed to one that would replace the traditional password or stand on its own.

The voice controlled mobile banking app will give consumers the ability to ask certain specific questions, such as requesting their account balance, or even issue commands with greater complexity, such as paying a bill or sending an email money transfer. While Aceto insisted that the service is being launched “with good functionality,” he also added that the bank will be listening to the feedback of its customers in order to continually improve it.