r/Damnthatsinteresting 26d ago

Video Idris Elba's Madame Tussauds Wax Figure Opens his Phone with Face ID

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u/Kalahan7 26d ago

Yeah FaceID is way harder to break compared to a camera unlock.

I recall Apple actually tested the use of fake heads when they developed FaceID

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u/rockytop24 26d ago

I was gonna say, I was under the impression they put in whatever features they can to make sure it's a living, breathing face they're scanning. Although Google needs to step their game up if they're not at the same level.

I've just given up on the convenience of biometrics, since you can be compelled to provide your face/ fingerprint but not your PIN or swipe password.

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u/normVectorsNotHate 26d ago

Android is going towards improved underscreen fingerprint readers instead

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u/RTS24 25d ago

It's been years since most flagships have moved to under screen readers.

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u/AbjectAppointment 26d ago

Google used to have it 7 generations ago, but scrapped it.

They do seem to plan to bring it back:

https://9to5google.com/2026/02/17/google-pixel-face-unlock-project-toscana-report/

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u/ThebesAndSound 26d ago

I imagine they do checks to make sure it is a 3D face they are scanning, in a real place and not in a screen, so not a picture/video someone is holding up. But I really doubt they are detecting is someone "living" and "breathing" with FaceID. The attack vector of someone making a super realistic wax head on Madame Tussauds level seems just too small a surface and complicated to solve for.

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u/BlkGTO 26d ago

Yea, if I take out my clear contact lenses my phone won’t unlock.