Google, Apple, and Microsoft companies have agreed to adopt an entirely new method that makes it easier for users of their operating systems to create a system that allows user identity verification without the need for traditional passwords, which use many symbols and characters.

Specifically, any website will be able to ask the user whether they want to "authenticate their identity using the FIDO (Fast IDentity Online) system's authentication tools." This message will simultaneously appear on the phone, where the user must approve the request by unlocking the screen, allowing connection to the site.

Smartphones will store the encoded authentication tools called "passkey".

The "passkey" relies on the "FIDO" technology, which is based on using one of the users' biometric fingerprints, such as facial recognition or fingerprint, or also software keys stored on the user's device, whether a smartphone or a personal computer, enabling the user to log into their account directly without typing any passwords.

The three companies pledged that they will facilitate users' access to their accounts on websites and applications, regardless of their operating systems, and without the need to log in again on each service and application, which helps the user recover their electronic accounts and access them easily on their new phone.

Adoption within 12 months

The three companies said they will adopt this new system within 12 months on devices operating on "Android" and "iOS" (belonging to Google and Apple) and on the browsers "Chrome," "Edge," and "Safari" (belonging to Google, Microsoft, and Apple) and on "Windows" and "Mac OS" (operating systems belonging to Microsoft and Apple for computers).

The "FIDO Alliance" (Fast Identity Online Alliance) stated in a statement: "With the new feature, consumers will be able to prove their identity on websites and mobile apps easily, without passwords and securely, regardless of the device or operating system used." The organization has included entities in the sector since 2012 to develop common authentication systems.

Google explained that the goal is to "enable users to connect to an electronic service simply by unlocking smartphones" through traditional means including fingerprint recognition, face recognition, or entering a multi-digit code.

Apple indicated in a statement that "authentication using passwords exclusively is one of the most widespread cybersecurity problems on the internet."

The company pointed out that "the new approach will protect against phishing attacks, and the connection to a service will be fundamentally more secure compared to using passwords and other techniques, such as sending unique codes via text messages."

How does FIDO technology work?

The idea of FIDO technology, which stands for Fast IDentity Online, is the future of logging into electronic accounts on various services, applications, and websites, across different operating systems and smart devices without needing passwords, while maintaining the highest level of protection and security at the same time.