Apple's new iPhone 5S, which comes with a fingerprint scanner, won’t store actual images of users’ fingerprints on the device, a company spokesman confirmed Wednesday, a decision that could ease concerns from privacy hawks.
Rather, Apple’s new Touch ID system only stores “fingerprint data,” which remains encrypted within the iPhone’s processor, a company representative said Wednesday. The phone then uses the digital signature to unlock itself or make purchases in Apple’s iTunes, iBooks or App stores.
In practice, this means that even if someone cracked an iPhone’s encrypted chip, they likely wouldn’t be able to reverse engineer someone’s fingerprint.
The iPhone maker has pitched the addition of a fingerprint sensor to its flagship smartphone as a security boost for consumers. But the company also appears conscious of privacy concerns that could arise from storing biometric data on everyday electronics. Fingerprint technology is not new, but still exotic for most customers. Apple appears to want to nip some concerns in the bud.
To start with, Apple said it is not currently allowing third-party applications to use the scanner.
An Apple spokesman pointed to other security features the company has added to the phone. Apple customers who wish the use Touch ID also have to create a passcode as a backup. Only that passcode (not a finger) can unlock the phone if the phone is rebooted or hasn’t been unlocked for 48 hours. This feature is meant to block hackers from stalling for time as they try to find a way to circumvent the fingerprint scanner.
Moreover, Apple says its Touch ID sensor is an improvement from the temperamental fingerprint scanners that often appear on consumer laptops. (Many require users to swipe their fingers repeatedly.)
Still, don’t expect the iPhone scanner to be perfect, the spokesman said Wednesday.
Apple testers have found the device sometimes doesn’t work with moisture-laden fingers covered in sweat, lotion or other liquids.
It also has trouble reading some fingers, the spokesman said, possibly including ones scarred by accidents or surgery. Of course, in those cases, users were able to use another digit successfully with the scanner.
(Update: This post originally incorrectly said Apple said it found problems for users with scarred fingers using its Touch ID fingerprint reader. It has since been
updated.)
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