Apple, Google, and Microsoft have agreed to use a common passwordless sign-in standard created by the FIDO (Fast Identity Online) alliance and the World Wide Web Consortium, according to a statement by the alliance. The agreement will help users avoid the route of passwords altogether, and allows websites and apps to secure accounts using device PIN or biometrics, the release added. Essentially, users will be able to use the passwordless option to sign in through the same action with which they unlock their devices. For example, they will be able to access their Gmail account by a simple verification of their fingerprint, face, or device PIN. “This new capability stands to usher in a new wave of low-friction FIDO implementations alongside the ongoing and growing utilization of security keys — giving service providers a full range of options for deploying modern, phishing-resistant authentication,” Andrew Shikiar, executive director and CMO of the FIDO Alliance, said in a statement. The fact that all major tech companies have agreed to adopt this standard implies that the passwordless option will cover major platforms— iOS and Android mobile operating systems, Windows and Mac devices, and browsers such as Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Apple Safari. The option is expected to be rolled out over the course of the coming year, the statement revealed. It is not yet clear as to how the option will be rolled out and what are its implications vis-à-vis user privacy. https://twitter.com/samirluther/status/1522251320459239424 Passwords have grown to become ineffective in securing accounts— a…
