The Pixel 6a’s fingerprint sensor seems to be unlocking for anyone
Our fingerprints are supposed to be unique to us, which is why fingerprint sensors have become more or less the default standard for security on smartphones. The idea is that no one, save for us, should be able to unlock our phones. Unfortunately, that seems to be an issue with the Pixel 6a.
According to multiple video reviews from various tech YouTubers (here, here, and here), it seems that the phone can be unlocked by other users placing their fingers or thumbs on the scanner. This is actually kind of scary because it means that the sensor doesn’t care about the fingerprint, it just unlocks whenever it is touched.
It is unclear why or how this is happening, but it is clearly a big deal because like we said, fingerprint sensors are essentially the default standard for smartphone biometric security, so what use is it if it basically allows anyone to unlock your phone?
Keep in mind that we haven’t actually tried this out ourselves yet so it’s hard to say how accurate all these claims are. In one of the videos, the YouTuber tests it out with his daughter and the phone remains locked, while in other videos, the phone’s fingerprint sensor is tested against a team of different users and it unlocks each and every time.
Google hasn’t really announced or said anything regarding this issue, but hopefully the company is aware of it and that they will address it soon.
Source: Reddit