Enhanced Security
This update might bring peace of mind to those concerned about security. WeChat, owned by the Chinese tech giant Tencent, now supports passkeys on its iOS application (and perhaps on iPad?). Recently, WhatsApp also announced that it is rolling out authentication via passkeys on its iPhone app (this feature has been available on Android for several months).
Users can now log in using Face ID, Touch ID, or the unlock code of a compatible Apple device (starting from iPhone 8/X and at least iOS 16). Passkeys utilize the secure enclaves of devices and biometric recognition. This technology offers a more secure account access than traditional passwords because it prevents the interception of codes sent via SMS or the theft of passwords.
For now, Meta has not yet planned to port WhatsApp to the iPad, and users must rely on the web app or a third-party app, much like WeChat. Thus, the enhancement in security could be very welcome news.
A Future Without Passwords Thanks to Passkeys
With passkeys, a technology developed by the FIDO Alliance which includes companies like Apple, Google, and Microsoft, users can truly consider securely using a service without needing to enter a password.
Indeed, it will be possible to replace the traditional password and two-factor authentication with a token that will be stored within your device’s secure enclave, and which will be accessed during authentication via Touch ID or Face ID (on Apple products).
