iOS 8 allows Touch ID to be accessed by third-party apps
posted by Nick T.
/ Jun 02, 2014, 2:01 PM
Apple's iOS 8 lets third-party applications read fingerprint data via Touch ID. This would allow fingerprint-based login to be implemented into apps as an alternative the standard username and password. We have a feeling that developers of iOS apps requiring payment authorizations will be interested in the feature. Safety shouldn't be a concern as the user's fingerprint data will be stored safely inside the device's chip.
20 Comments
2. NoFanboy
Posts: 300; Member since: Nov 18, 2013
Take notes Samsung
posted on Jun 02, 2014, 2:03 PM 4
9. tech2
Posts: 3487; Member since: Oct 26, 2012
Samsung's implementation of finger print scanner is already 3rd party accessible. You can make a payment through paypal with finger print authentication.
posted on Jun 02, 2014, 2:17 PM 4
3. Finalflash
Posts: 4062; Member since: Jul 23, 2013
This is the only good thing they said in the last half of that keynote. This should have been done from day one but better late than never. There will probably be 20 different security flaws brought by this but have to live with that, don't they.
posted on Jun 02, 2014, 2:03 PM 1
5. ihavenoname
Posts: 1693; Member since: Aug 18, 2013
What security flaws? Touch ID has had excellent security.
posted on Jun 02, 2014, 2:11 PM 1
10. Finalflash
Posts: 4062; Member since: Jul 23, 2013
It will essentially now be able to say yes or no to 3rd party apps, but how will that work. Will the password to those app/sites be stored locally and input by the system upon yes/no from touch id, or will the app itself react to the touch id yes/no? If the former solution is used, than those passwords are all up for grabs since they are saved on the system. If the latter is used, then anyone sharing a tablet or phone (with touch id) can access your information if their finger print can also be used for authentication (multiple prints and all). If that is the case, then you would have to put names to those prints and have the system remember it so it doesn't let one person access another person's accounts, but that's just a complicated mess for security.
posted on Jun 02, 2014, 2:18 PM 0
20. MobileGuru
Posts: 82; Member since: Jan 18, 2014
My guess would be passwords have to be pre-stored in iCloud keychain or some password bank and upon authentication for passwords, TouchID will authenticate for the owner of the phone. If successful, passwords will be pulled from iCloud keychain or some password bank and it will be filled into the password box. Third party apps will hence only be allowed to use TouchID for authentication but not have access to the fingerprint itself.
posted on Jun 03, 2014, 6:07 AM 0
4. 0xFFFF
Posts: 3806; Member since: Apr 16, 2014
I wonder how long it will be before Apple has a Snowden event and all the lies they've told about iPhone security and protecting privacy are exposed.
posted on Jun 02, 2014, 2:07 PM 1
11. AfterShock
Posts: 4146; Member since: Nov 02, 2012
They haven't fired the right guy yet.
Could happen.
posted on Jun 02, 2014, 2:21 PM 1
6. CX3NT3_713
Posts: 2343; Member since: Apr 18, 2011
IOS 8 came and went...
posted on Jun 02, 2014, 2:11 PM 0
8. The13thKing
Posts: 849; Member since: Feb 26, 2014
lmao. whatever Samsung does, apple follows. Freakin Dinosaurs.
posted on Jun 02, 2014, 2:14 PM 2
16. sip1995
Posts: 1771; Member since: Feb 07, 2014
According to Apple, it called "innovation" hahaha, btw finally we agree at something.
posted on Jun 02, 2014, 2:41 PM 3
17. The13thKing
Posts: 849; Member since: Feb 26, 2014
lol. we all here hate apple, because of the way it tricks people and copies everything. I love it when we haters unite.
posted on Jun 02, 2014, 2:48 PM 4
18. al.mujtaba
Posts: 3; Member since: May 29, 2014
So how can we use this Touch ID fingerprint as developers if it will be "stored safely inside the device's chip" and could we use it for simple things, not payment or passwords.. I think it won't be easy for developers, so we should wait until apple publish the details ..
