Google makes ‘passkeys’ the default sign-in method, phasing out passwords

Shillong, October 11: Google has declared that it will establish “passkeys” as the default sign-in method for all users, providing an alternative to traditional passwords.

Passkeys enable users to access apps and websites using biometric sensors (e.g., fingerprint or facial recognition), a PIN, or a pattern, eliminating the need to remember and manage passwords.

As per IANS, in a blog post on Tuesday, Google announced, “This means the next time you sign in to your account, you’ll start seeing prompts to create and use passkeys, simplifying your future sign-ins. It also means you’ll see the ‘Skip password when possible’ option toggled on in your Google Account settings.”

Despite the advancement represented by passkeys, Google acknowledged that it may take some time for new technologies to gain widespread acceptance, so passwords may continue to be used for a while.

One of the immediate benefits of passkeys is that they alleviate the burden of remembering complex passwords with numbers and special characters, and they also offer resistance to phishing attempts.

Google reported that since the introduction of passkeys for Google accounts, 64% of users have found passkeys to be a simpler and more user-friendly authentication method compared to traditional approaches like passwords and two-step verification.

Furthermore, Google revealed plans to implement stricter rules for bulk senders in Gmail, effective from February 2024, with the aim of reducing spam and unwanted emails. These rules will apply to senders who dispatch over 5,000 messages to Gmail addresses in a single day. The measures aim to enhance inbox security and minimize spam in Gmail.