The recently released Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro phones have a Face Unlock system that allows for payments. However, a user on Reddit has reported a potential security concern with the system. They claim that the Face Unlock system mistakenly identifies their brother as them, even though they look very different. It’s too early to determine if this is a serious issue, but it raises questions about the system’s accuracy.
Google achieved high security with the Face Unlock system without using dedicated hardware, relying instead on machine learning and artificial intelligence. However, incidents in the past have shown that even dedicated hardware, like Apple’s Face ID, can be tricked in certain situations. Apple has acknowledged that siblings or young children may have similar facial features that can result in accidental unlocks. It’s possible that the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro’s Face Unlock system is susceptible to this as well.
Further clarity on this issue may come as more customers receive their Pixel 8 phones. Despite this potential concern, the Pixel 8 series has received positive feedback regarding its durability, with improvements made from the previous model. Durability is an important aspect for Google, who has promised to provide software updates and spare parts for seven years. The Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro offer impressive features and design, but the accuracy and reliability of the Face Unlock system will need to be closely examined.