Biometrics + Blockchain

[commandrix]

Mastercard wants to replace passwords with selfies. This is something we should be looking into if we're really serious about end client security when a lot of us probably have Bitcoin on our Android device in the hope of paying for a purchase with it.

[Kakmakr]

You not serious? Why would we want to replace the pseudo anonymity of Bitcoin with something linking our face to our money matters? Some of us appreciate the partial anonymity this technology gives us. We like the fact that centralized organizations cannot track our spending habits to feed their urge to rule our lives.

I can now buy sex toys at a adult shop, if I wanted to, without some clandestine organization knowing my sexual preferences or having this information leaked to the public, when their databases are hacked.   

[SFR10]

Actually this will surely put security of BTCitcoin at more risk if this gets implemented. Imagine someone stilling you cellphone, then they manage to crack your password and get in, and then they happen to know how you look then they could change their faces to the one looking like you and then that's it, a selfie will lead to you lose all your money you have (although the chances are minimum, it's still a possibility).

[NorrisK]

Actually this will surely put security of BTCitcoin at more risk if this gets implemented. Imagine someone stilling you cellphone, then they manage to crack your password and get in, and then they happen to know how you look then they could change their faces to the one looking like you and then that's it, a selfie will lead to you lose all your money you have (although the chances are minimum, it's still a possibility).

Appearently it is not that easy to fake someone's face. A photo is not enough as there is some glancing of the paper surface that can be detected by the software. The only method possible at the moment is making a real mask copy of the face you want to imitate. We all know that is too much trouble to go through to get acces to a couple of BTC, so most wallets should still be safe then.

In addition, a simple irisscan should be enough to improve this security if it gets layered on top of the facial recognition. And with the fingerprint readers you could also need to hold your finger on the scanner during the selfie for another layer of security.

I agree it is currently not enough to keep everything safe, and I definately agree it is not wanted in a pseudoanonymous system to sign the transaction with biometric data, but it is quite possible if you wanted to.

[7788bitcoin]

Actually this will surely put security of BTCitcoin at more risk if this gets implemented. Imagine someone stilling you cellphone, then they manage to crack your password and get in, and then they happen to know how you look then they could change their faces to the one looking like you and then that's it, a selfie will lead to you lose all your money you have (although the chances are minimum, it's still a possibility).

Appearently it is not that easy to fake someone's face. A photo is not enough as there is some glancing of the paper surface that can be detected by the software. The only method possible at the moment is making a real mask copy of the face you want to imitate. We all know that is too much trouble to go through to get acces to a couple of BTC, so most wallets should still be safe then.

In addition, a simple irisscan should be enough to improve this security if it gets layered on top of the facial recognition. And with the fingerprint readers you could also need to hold your finger on the scanner during the selfie for another layer of security.

I agree it is currently not enough to keep everything safe, and I definately agree it is not wanted in a pseudoanonymous system to sign the transaction with biometric data, but it is quite possible if you wanted to.

I am sure some hackers can hack the phone camera to generate the photo of the authorized person- you don't even need a physical photo/picture to cheat the phone.

[Amph]

that kind of biometric is not so secure what about i take a photo and i use it to unlock your funds?

the only secure biometric would be the eye movements in a casual way each time you need to set your password

[dothebeats]

Biometrics such as fingerprints could be a possibility and a nice layer of security, but afaik somebody can even steal or use your fingerprint given that they know what they're doing. Or have I seen too much movies that my way of thinking became crooked? As for the selfies, no. Just no.

[Jet Cash]

I bet they will do all this, and yet they will still leave NFC enabled.

[DimensionZ]

Intel has developed a password manager app that can log you in your accounts by using your face too. Honestly I think this presents a security risk if someone tries to mimic your facial characteristics to steal you data.

[unamis76]

Face recognition? That's old... Retina scan is the future. That would be a good idea to implement on a Bitcoin client. Not on the competition obviously, they can have face recognition all they want

[Soros Shorts]

This kind of thing should be implemented independently and separately from the blockchain or protocol.

[franky1]

face recognition is fail.. lets say bill gates used it. i could steal his phone and then google image a picture of him and hold up upto the phones camera.

same as pickpocketing. i can stand at a distance and use a nice camera with a zoom to take a picture of someones face, and then casually walk upto them to pickpocket them.. then at home show the picture to the stolen phone,

pin numbers and passwords are better because of these reasons
1. its in the persons head so less chance to be directly attacked without close proximity, torture or harder tricks to get to have the access code
2. people lose weight, gain weight get scars, get age wrinkles grow beards.. so that can confuse photo recognition
3. identical twins
4. the effort to press the camera button,  adjust the angle, get the focus right, pose and then press snap picture actually takes more time and effort compared to typing a pinnumber or a lengthier password.

and even if that does phase you and you still want it...

This kind of thing should be implemented independently and separately from the blockchain or protocol.

yes it should be a gimmick GUI feature for stuff like multibit or coinbase. not something for core

[arbitrage]

This kind of thing should be implemented independently and separately from the blockchain or protocol.

This is actually a good idea if it is optional like 2fa. I mean if you have a choice you also have freedom.
Or maybe separately implemented. But i'm also concerned for losing personal info..

[LiberOptions]

I think that biometric security systems to secure bitcoin is the future. I'm positive there will be a lot of products offering this type of security

[franky1]

if something like coinbase implements facial recognition. and lets say adam back had a coinbase account.

then here you go folks.. here is his access key