Apple Aims for Passwordless Authentication: EgisTec Gains in Uprising Fingerprint Recognition and Face ID
In line with recent efforts, Apple is reportedly testing new features to accelerate terminating password authentication, replacing it with faster and more secure biometric data. Oppo, Samsung, and Vivo are also following the trends. Industry watchers believe Taiwanese biometric authentication IC designers, such as Egis Technology Inc. (EgisTec), Elan Microelectronics, and FocalTech Systems Co. will also benefit from the current trends.
The prominent tech giant announced in the ‘Move Beyond Passwords’ developer session at the WWDC conference on new iCloud keychain features that allow users to log in with Passkeys that operate much like passwords, except for linking biometric data such as fingerprints and face ID to them.
The Passkeys biometric data is based on the WebAuthn Protocol, meaning that faceprints and fingerprints are stored locally on the individual’s device in a special enclave, ensuring scans do not go to cloud storage and remain private.
Apple pioneers in biometric authentication and is known for being particularly strict with security issues. The company joined the Fido Alliance as a board-level member in February 2020, along with Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Line. The Fido Alliance is an open industry association focused on diminishing reliance on password authentication.
