Per Search Engine Watch, Google has begun promoting an optional video-selfie feature that can help users regain access to their accounts when they can’t use their normal sign-in methods. (For now, it’s optional)
To set it up, users record a short video while moving their head so their face is captured from different angles. If they later have trouble signing in, they can take another selfie that Google compares with the original verification information.
Google initially announced the feature in July, but it is now reportedly displaying prompts encouraging some users to set it up. Users may decline as Google hasn’t made video selfies mandatory. .
Why the video-selfie feature?
According to Google, the system may be used to estimate whether someone is old enough to access certain services. Users can separately opt in to allow their selfies to help Google improve facial recognition, and other verification technologies.
But the technology can also perform liveness checks to distinguish real people from photos, prerecorded videos and some deepfakes, while helping Google combat bots and abuse.
Selfie technology may also be used for age verification on certain services.
What’s attracting attention now is that Google has begun more actively promoting video-selfie verification to users, bringing facial verification closer to becoming a routine option for accessing online accounts.
Prediction: Although optional now, we think live video selfies will eventually become the standard for users regaining access to their accounts, age verification, and other verification services.
