Security News > 2023 > May > Google adds passkey option to replace passwords on Gmail and other account services

Google Account holders can now use passkeys instead of passwords to log in, Google announced in a security blog post on Wednesday.

The passkey is shared with Google websites and apps, but not beyond them.

Your local device will perform the screen lock biometrics or ask for your PIN, ensuring that the passkey information is never shared with Google itself.

Google Account holders will still be able to use passwords if they prefer or if their device doesn't have support for biometrics or passkeys.

Since passkeys are associated with devices, not accounts, the way Google Account holders think about login might need to be a bit different if they activate the passkey.

The team concluded "Most people will find it easier to control access to their devices rather than maintaining good security posture with passwords and having to be on constant lookout for phishing attempts," wrote Arnar Birgisson and Diana K Smetters, Identity Ecosystems and Google Account Security and Safety teams, in the announcement post.

News URL

https://www.techrepublic.com/article/google-account-passkey-passwordless/