WhatsApp, the world’s most popular instant messaging application, recently announced a new feature for its Android app. The update replaces passwords with passkeys, offering a more secure authentication method for users. WhatsApp’s initiative is part of a wider trend that sees many companies, such as Apple, Google and Microsoft, gradually abandoning passwords in favor of more advanced authentication methods. In concrete terms, passkeys are access keys managed directly by the iOS and Android operating systems. They are based on the user’s biometric data, such as facial recognition, fingerprint reader or PIN code. As a result, users will now be able to log in to WhatsApp using one of these authentication methods, without having to remember a complex password. This marks a significant change for WhatsApp, which has never been a fan of passwords. Until now, users could set a password to lock the application when they left it. In addition to simplifying authentication, the use of passkeys also offers security benefits. Access keys are uniquely linked to the device, meaning it’s impossible for anyone to access your WhatsApp account from another smartphone, tablet or computer. This considerably strengthens the protection of users’ personal data and conversations, and the rollout of this new feature on the Android version of WhatsApp is scheduled for the coming months. However, it has not yet been confirmed whether this update will also be available for iPhone users. WhatsApp joins the trend of abandoning passwords in favor of passkeys to guarantee greater security for user accounts. This evolution will enable users to access their WhatsApp account using facial recognition, a fingerprint reader or a PIN code, offering a more secure and convenient authentication method. This initiative marks a further step towards protecting users’ personal data and conversations. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0WzADthzq0
