Google announces passwordless by default: Make the switch to passkeys

Re:Google announces passwordless by default: Make the switch... by smeej on Wednesday October 11, 2023 @07:58AM (#37843376)

There's one elephant in the room I'm not hearing enough about, namely the legal precedent (at least in the U.S.) that you can legally be compelled to provide a biometric identifier (fingerprint, face scan, etc.), but cannot be compelled to provide a password, as that would be "compelled speech" and violate the first amendment.

I disable all kinds of biometrics from my devices when traveling for this reason specifically. Passwords in my password manager aren't the whole password. There's another component in my head that I won't (and, more importantly, cannot be compelled to) disclose.

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Re:Google announces passwordless by default: Make the switch... by kasdi on Wednesday October 11, 2023 @11:08AM (#37845420)

Interesting point. Seems like a point where the law lacks behind technological progress. Though, in any case, most people aren’t aware of the detailed laws and when pressured enough by enough authority - perhaps not quite lawfully - they will give in. So, this seems to me a rather niche case where both sides know and follow the law, which is usually not the case.

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