TikTok introduces passkeys

TikTok announces introduction of passkeys

TikTok has introduced passkeys aiming to enhance account security and user experience by leveraging biometric authentication methods such as Face ID and Touch ID on iOS devices. As part of this initiative, TikTok has announced its membership in the FIDO Alliance, an organization dedicated to promoting authentication standards that minimize reliance on traditional passwords. Passkeys, essentially acting as password replacements, maintain all biometric data on the user's device, preventing third-party apps from accessing or processing this data.

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Security loopholes with passwords urged TikTok to adapt a new standard

The introduction of passkeys by TikTok addresses a growing concern in digital security: the vulnerability of traditional passwords. As a result of common issues like password reuse, guessable or easily brute-forced passwords, and susceptibility to phishing attacks, these passwords can be stolen or lost, creating a significant threat to account security. Additionally, large-scale server leaks can expose multiple accounts simultaneously, thereby exacerbating these risks.

TikTok joins the passkey standard among other major digital players

The implications of TikTok's decision to partner with the FIDO Alliance are multifaceted. This partnership aligns TikTok with other major industry players like Kayak, Shopify, eBay, and Microsoft 365, which have already implemented passkeys. The adoption of passkeys indicates TikTok's commitment to meeting new security standards and addressing phishing, identified as the primary security threat in the FBI's Internet Crime Report 2022. Through this innovative approach, TikTok not only offers an improved user experience but also actively counters predominant online security threats.

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What's next?

With TikTok being the latest platform to adopt passkeys, this login method is increasingly becoming the norm, at least within the U.S. market. While the feature has yet to be rolled out in Europe, it is expected that passkeys will continue to gain momentum as the standard login method across various digital platforms. As such, small to medium-sized businesses could face challenges in adopting this emerging trend due to resource constraints, potentially affecting their ability to keep pace with rapidly evolving security standards.

The implementation by TikTok shortly after Apple's enlarged commitment to passkeys in iOS 17 looks promising. As a consumer app that is particularly popular with younger users it could significantly boost acceptance of this technology here, and thus set a trend for other platforms. It will be interesting to observe the timeline and manner in which passkeys expand to other regions and platforms, and how it will influence the broader digital security landscape in the coming years.