Google Rolls Out Facial Verification via Video Selfies

Google has started prompting users to record a video of their face as a way to verify their identity, expanding its use of facial recognition technology and raising questions about how biometric data is stored and used.

The feature, called Selfie Video Sign-In, is currently optional but visible on the company's home page. It allows users to enroll in facial verification by recording a brief video clip while turning their head so different angles of their face can be captured.

According to Google, the recorded video is encrypted and can be deleted at any time through account settings. However, users can also opt-in to allow the company to use their selfie videos and related data to refine facial recognition and age estimation across its products.

Privacy advocates have raised concerns about how this data might be used beyond account recovery, particularly given the optional consent to train verification systems. The timing of this feature is also noteworthy, as AI-generated deepfakes become increasingly convincing and easier to produce, raising questions about the robustness of facial recognition checks against spoofing attempts.