Added security may be coming to Android’s face unlock feature

Google introduced a new way of unlocking an Android smartphone with its face unlock feature in Android 4.0. The feature wasn’t as secure as Google had hoped, unfortunately, and it was discovered anyone could unlock a phone simply by using its owner’s photograph. A Google patent that was recently published by the United States Patent and Trademark Office may make it harder for unauthorized users to bypass the feature by requiring users to make a series of faces to unlock a device, BBC News reported. For example, users might be asked to stick out their tongue, wrinkle their nose, frown, perform an open-mouth smile or move their eyebrows. The filing also suggests that a combination of specific gestures could be required such as blinking and tilting the head. Google notes that these new requirements should prevent unauthorized users from accessing a face-locked smartphone. In the end, however, it may be easier to use a traditional pattern or passcode to secure a device.