PayPal is working on a new generation of embeddable, injectable and ingestible devices that could replace passwords as a means of identification.
Jonathan LeBlanc, PayPal’s global head of developer evangelism, claims that these devices could include brain implants, wafer-thin silicon chips that can be embedded into the skin, and ingestible devices with batteries that are powered by stomach acid.
These devices would allow "natural body identification," by monitoring internal body functions like heartbeat, glucose levels and vein recognition, Mr LeBlanc told theWall Street Journal.
Over time they would come to replace passwords and even more advanced methods of identification, like fingerprint scanning and location verification, which he says are not always reliable.
"As long as passwords remain the standard methods for identifying your users on the web, people will still continue to use 'letmein' or 'password123' for their secure login, and will continue to be shocked when their accounts become compromised," said Mr LeBlanc.
Mr LeBlanc said PayPal is already working with some partners on developing vein recognition technologies and heartbeat recognition bands, and is also working with developerson prototypes of futuristic ID verification techniques.
He said that, by talking about new biometric verification technologies, PayPal is not necessarily signaling that it’s thinking about adopting them. Rather it hopes to position itself as a "thought leader".
“I can’t speculate as to what PayPal will do in the future, but we’re looking at new techniques – we do have fingerprint scanning that is being worked on right now – so we’re definitely looking at the identity field,” he said.
The most popular password of 2014 was 123456, according to SplashData, followed by password, 12345, 12345678 and qwerty.
Graham
2 comments:
I am not in agreeance with anything being ingested or put into my skin... I don't like this idea at all... I think when you come up with a password, you need to make it special to you... I would NEVER use a simplistic one like these ones listed... I'm not sure why anyone else would either...
Hi Launna - always good to hear from you. Many thanks for leaving your thoughts.
All the best Jan
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