Apple further details new Touch ID fingerprint sensor, notes system is not flawless
One day after Apple introduced the iPhone 5s with embedded Touch ID fingerprint sensor, more details about the new feature's functionality have emerged, including certain failsafes built into the system, as well as limitations that come with any cutting-edge technology.
As noted in Tuesday's iPhone event coverage, Apple is debuting a new biometric authentication and security method in Touch ID, a capacitive fingerprint sensor integrated into the iPhone 5s' home button. While the technology was briefly covered during the presentation, an Apple spokesman elaborated on the tech in an interview with The Wall Street Journal on Wednesday.
The person confirmed that Touch ID does not store fingerprint images on-board, nor does the method upload gathered information to off-site servers like iCloud. Instead, encrypted "fingerprint data" is placed in a secure enclave in Apple's A7 SoC, which is used to digitally verify users who want to gain access to the phone and its features.
This setup adds a bit of extra security for the extremely sensitive personal data. Even if a thief or cracker managed to obtain the A7 chip, the replication or reading of a user's fingerprint would be an unlikely scenario.
Also of note is how Apple chose to implement security safeguards and backup systems to go along with the new hardware. First, a user must enter a passcode to initiate the iPhone 5s' biometric capabilities. As a protection against nefarious users trying to bypass the security measure, only this code can be used to unlock a device after it's been rebooted or has been left unlocked for more than 48 hours.
Apple cautions that the Touch ID sensor is not perfect and will give inaccurate readings in some cases, especially when a finger is moist. This is due to the capacitive "image" the sensor array captures. Moisture or other conductive debris on a finger could give false readings.
In addition, Touch ID may have trouble identifying fingers with scarring from surgical procedures or accidents. Simply using another finger solves the problem, but makes the system more cumbersome to use.
It can be speculated that scar tissue may generate a blank reading for the sensor as the module only scans live tissue. Another possibility is that the algorithms used to power the system may simply reject scarred areas as they don't fit with a fingerprint's natural peaks and valleys.
Finally, the Apple representative said that third party apps will not have access to fingerprint data. This may change with later iterations of iOS, though the feature will not be available to developers on rollout.
Further testing is required to pinpoint the exact capabilities and operational functions of the sensor, which will be covered by AppleInsider shortly after the 5s is released on Sept. 20.
As noted in Tuesday's iPhone event coverage, Apple is debuting a new biometric authentication and security method in Touch ID, a capacitive fingerprint sensor integrated into the iPhone 5s' home button. While the technology was briefly covered during the presentation, an Apple spokesman elaborated on the tech in an interview with The Wall Street Journal on Wednesday.
The person confirmed that Touch ID does not store fingerprint images on-board, nor does the method upload gathered information to off-site servers like iCloud. Instead, encrypted "fingerprint data" is placed in a secure enclave in Apple's A7 SoC, which is used to digitally verify users who want to gain access to the phone and its features.
This setup adds a bit of extra security for the extremely sensitive personal data. Even if a thief or cracker managed to obtain the A7 chip, the replication or reading of a user's fingerprint would be an unlikely scenario.
Also of note is how Apple chose to implement security safeguards and backup systems to go along with the new hardware. First, a user must enter a passcode to initiate the iPhone 5s' biometric capabilities. As a protection against nefarious users trying to bypass the security measure, only this code can be used to unlock a device after it's been rebooted or has been left unlocked for more than 48 hours.
Apple cautions that the Touch ID sensor is not perfect and will give inaccurate readings in some cases, especially when a finger is moist. This is due to the capacitive "image" the sensor array captures. Moisture or other conductive debris on a finger could give false readings.
In addition, Touch ID may have trouble identifying fingers with scarring from surgical procedures or accidents. Simply using another finger solves the problem, but makes the system more cumbersome to use.
It can be speculated that scar tissue may generate a blank reading for the sensor as the module only scans live tissue. Another possibility is that the algorithms used to power the system may simply reject scarred areas as they don't fit with a fingerprint's natural peaks and valleys.
Finally, the Apple representative said that third party apps will not have access to fingerprint data. This may change with later iterations of iOS, though the feature will not be available to developers on rollout.
Further testing is required to pinpoint the exact capabilities and operational functions of the sensor, which will be covered by AppleInsider shortly after the 5s is released on Sept. 20.
Comments
Who wouldn't? It's just a matter of time.
Me? I don't care. If you're not doing anything illegal you shouldn't have to worry about them. Is it wrong? Well, yes. But the sad truth is that we are all screwed. World control is coming. That is not in question. It's just a matter of time. Just a matter of time...
In the case of this government it is out to get you.
for heavin's sake ... got a drivers license? then your thumbprint is already in the NSA data base. and all my fingers' prints are. if you were ever arrested or even involved in an investigation, so are yours.
sorry, children. that horse left the barn decades ago.
Unfortunately, there are too many people like you out there! I'm as much worried about the private companies and financial institutions and their collection and use and abuse of our personal data, and the governments access to it.
When you come to a fork in the river it is up to you to make a choice. In that regard we can either account or reject the policies of our current government. Reject the policies and the river will be filled with rapids and other dangers, but we have weathers such social problems before. We got through the Vietnam era which is possibly the most recent example of the population and the government being out of sync. The only thing we need now is for people to give a damn.
seems like for an increasing number of people paranoia is their default state, and every news item is reduced down to a ridiculous conspiracy theory. Its like a wave of mental illness sweeping the world
If you're a legal immigrant into the US (like I am), all ten of your fingers are in the database.
Who wouldn't? It's just a matter of time.
Me? I don't care. If you're not doing anything illegal you shouldn't have to worry about them. Is it wrong? Well, yes. But the sad truth is that we are all screwed. World control is coming. That is not in question. It's just a matter of time. Just a matter of time...
It's the reptilians. Chariots of the Gods, man; they practically own South America.
You have the right fire your 'private' companies. You don't have that right with your government.
for heavin's sake ... got a drivers license? then your thumbprint is already in the NSA data base. and all my fingers' prints are. if you were ever arrested or even involved in an investigation, so are yours.
sorry, children. that horse left the barn decades ago.
What is the heck state do you live in the takes your thumbprint for a drivers license? That has to be illegal. That's insane. I wouldn't get a drivers license if I had to do that.
And all this NSA stuff is just BS. It's never going to leave the phone. Too many developers will dig deep into this phone and Apple has too much to lose if they aren't isolating/encrypting the fingerprint on the phone and the developers find out.
If people are really that paranoid they shouldn't have a phone with a webcam on the front. The government will have your picture and track your phone and photoshop your face doing illegal things and lock you up with no trial forever. I mean, come on. This isn't Europe.
No access for developers? It has so much potential though ...
I agree, it definitely does have potential, however direct access may not be necessary if Apple implements it in the KeyChain services (iOS and iCloud). The system may allow the user to enter the KeyChain password (fingerprint) for access to 3rd party services and web sites that make use of the services bypassing the need to remember every password.
No one is getting your fingerprint from this phone; maybe other places, but not the phone :-)
If the sensor ever fails to read your finger print there is a workaround that can be implemented using another appendage.
However, this implementation cannot be used by females...