Google Pixel 4 face unlock with eyes open to be added as option in future update

Google says that it is working on an option that will require your eyes to be open for face unlock on Pixel 4.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Pixel 4 comes with advanced face unlock tech that Google says is fast and accurate.
• However, the face unlocks feature works even with the user's eyes closed.
• Google says it will add an option for face unlock to work with eyes open via a future OTA update.

Following the launch of the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL, news broke out about a glaring flaw in Google's new facial recognition system. It turns out that the Pixel 4 can be unlocked even with your eyes closed. Google's face unlock is similar to Apple's Face ID, but with one major difference - iPhones require your eyes to be open by default for Face ID to work whereas the Pixel 4 does not. Without requiring your eyes to be open, the face unlocks feature on Pixel 4 has understandably raised concerns in terms of privacy and security. Google now says that it is working on an option that will require your eyes to be open for face unlock, and the feature will come via a software update in the coming months.

Last week, it was reported by some early Pixel 4 users, including BBC reporter Chris Fox, that the Pixel 4's face unlock feature does not require the user's eyes to be open. This could potentially allow anyone unauthorized access to the device. Interestingly, Google was aware of this and acknowledged the same in a Pixel 4 support page.

At the time, Google did not see this as a problem and the company only said that its face unlock feature would get better with time. As a solution, Google said that concerned users could enable "lockdown" mode, which can be enabled by holding down the power button for a few seconds. Lockdown mode will deactivate facial recognition until you unlock the phone. This, however, isn't an effective solution as users will need to enable this every time they want to use it.

In a statement to The Verge, Google says it is, "working on an option for users to require their eyes to be open to unlock the phone, which will be delivered in a software update in the coming months. In the meantime, if any Pixel 4 users are concerned that someone may take their phone and try to unlock it while their eyes are closed, they can activate a security feature that requires a pin, pattern or password for the next unlock."

While Google will be offering a proper solution soon, it still believes that the Pixel 4 face unlock, "meets the security requirements as a strong biometric, and can be used for payments and app authentication, including banking apps. It is resilient against invalid unlock attempts via other means, like with masks."