Android Phones To Have Fingerprint Scanners In The Near Future

We have been covering the emergence of biometric fingerprint scanners being built into the Apple iPhone 5S, since photo’s of the scanner where leaked early September.

Now Android “smart” phones are also getting into the biometrics business.

iPhone 5S-like FIDO-based fingerprint authentication coming soon to Android smartphones
By: David Murphy

Getting jealous, Android users?

We’re speaking, of course, about the fingerprint-scanning security measures (Touch ID) found within the home button of Apple’s iPhone 5S. It’s a nifty little feature – though not, arguably, foolproof – that at least grants an authorised user quick access to his or her device without having to type in a pesky PIN.

According to a new report from USA Today, those rocking Google’s mobile operating system might not have that much longer to wait before they start getting fingerprint sensors of their own on their mobile devices.

In fact, they’ll probably be able to get their hands on them shortly after the new year. At least, that’s according to the projections from representatives of the FIDO Alliance — an organisation, founded in 2012, that’s tasked itself with the mission of improving authentication on devices and solving “the problems users face with creating and remembering multiple usernames and passwords.”

According to FIDO president Michael Barrett, the organisation’s 48 or so member companies are all working to come up with biometric solutions for Android, and it’s hopeful that the market will start to see the fruits of their labours within approximately six months or so.

Continue Reading at: itproportal.com

The FIDO alliance has many members including Google, Paypal, Blackberry, Cloud security, and many more. The most interesting members include several biometric data companies.

Facebanx
“Facebanx has developed the world’s first fully integrated facial recognition technology that works via webcams, mobile phones and tablets. Facebanx uses cloud based technology to allow multiple users unlimited access worldwide either on a manual or automated basis. Facebanx will significantly reduce fraud within the banking, payments, insurance and gambling Industries as well as aid the police, security and local government departments in fighting fraudsters and stopping criminal activity.

Facebanx’s technology simply complements all existing anti-fraud tools to combat fraud and ID theft from taking place. It is a valuable ID verification solution in the registration, single sign-on and KYC process. Facebanx aids AML and helps minimize charge-backs.”

findBIOMETRICS.com
findBIOMETRICS.com is the leading Biometrics and Identification Industry Resource providing free information on all biometrics identification and identity verification systems and solutions. findBIOMETRICS has the latest daily news from the global Biometric and Identity Management business community, as well as comprehensive vendor lists, informative articles, interviews with Industry Leaders, exclusive videos, useful links to Biometrics associations and a current list of related industry events and conferences.

See full members list here.

In essence anyone who purchases a “smart” phone is volunteering their biometric data to big corporations like Google. (And they would never infringe on our privacy, would they?). After reviewing the member list of the FIDO alliance, it should become very clear for most people. This alliance is not for the peoples benefit, it is for companies like Google. Who openly spy on their users and now want their users biometric information.

But all is not lost, there is a solution that does involve not submitting your biometrics. Opt out! Vote with your dollars and do not by one of the spy devices. It is that simple.