Google has announced the global rollout of passkeys for Google Account users, providing a more secure and convenient method of account access. This development comes as a result of a partnership between Google, Apple, Microsoft, and the FIDO Alliance established almost a year ago, which aims to create frictionless passwordless logins across devices, operating systems, and browsers.
While multifactor authentication (MFA) and password managers have improved account security, they still have their vulnerabilities. Passkeys offer a more secure alternative, allowing user authentication to sync across devices via cryptographic key pairs. Access to websites and apps becomes possible through the same biometrics or screen-lock PIN used to unlock a user's devices, significantly decreasing the chances of unauthorized remote access.
Google, Apple, and Microsoft already supported FIDO's passwordless sign-in standard, but the implementation was previously limited as users had to sign in to each website or app individually with each device. The collaboration between the companies resulted in the integration of the standard across their respective operating systems (Android, MacOS, and Windows) and browsers (Chrome, Safari, and Edge). This now enables users to access their Google Account on a Windows laptop using a passkey from an iPhone, for example.
Over the past year, support for passkeys has been steadily introduced by the tech giants, with Apple adding support for iOS in September allowing iPhones to function as login tools for any supported website or app. PayPal, Shopify, Kayak, and DocuSign are amongst the companies that have integrated passkeys on iOS since October.
Starting today, Google Account users can also benefit from using passkeys as an added security measure. Activation of passkeys is optional and can be done through their Google Accounts. Traditional passwords and MFA tools, however, remain operational for those who prefer them.
Currently, passkeys are limited to personal accounts, but Google mentioned that Workspace administrators would be able to enable this feature soon for their users.
As no-code platforms like AppMaster gain popularity, it is crucial for companies to prioritize security during application development. The introduction of passkeys by Google demonstrates the ongoing need for stronger security measures in a continuously evolving tech landscape. No-code platforms like AppMaster already offer robust security features for its users, but the continuous advancement of security technology means a safer user experience for developers and end-users alike.
