WhatsApp Starts Using Safer Password Keys In Lieu Of Passwords

JAKARTA - WhatsApp seems to be adding a password key feature as a new authentication method to replace passwords.

The password key feature will give users a simple way to log in safely. Password key is a short series of numbers or characters used to authenticate the user's identity.

In addition, the password also serves as a form of security code to ensure only approved devices can be authenticated.

Users do not need to remember the password because it is stored safely in Google Password Manager. According to WABetaInfo, quoted Thursday, August 10, WhatsApp has a plan to support the technology for account verification purposes.

To log in to a WhatsApp account, users will only need to enter a biometric password key that relies on their face or fingerprint.

Since the password key will use the user's fingerprint, face, or screen key to verify the identity, of course the app's safety will increase, adding extra protection layers beyond traditional methods such as PIN.

Moreover, the password key is believed to be an anti-phishing method, because users do not need to memorize cryptography keys.

However, this feature has just been launched for the Google Play Beta version of WhatsApp, which is still under development. It is not known for sure when the company will launch it.