Google really wants you to record a video selfie in case you get locked out of your account

After simplifying third-party sign-ups with your Google account and repeatedly urging you to replace passwords with passkeys, Google now wants you to sign in with a selfie video. Google launched the new sign-in method in July, and while it’s still not available in all regions, it can now be seen prompting users to set up login via selfie video.

Google has now started soliciting users to try the video selfie sign-in feature via its homepage on desktop. According to Search Engine Watch, the tech giant has started displaying a banner on its homepage to promote the new sign-in method.

I verified the report and found the banner on the homepage, too. Clicking the “Add a selfie” button took me through a setup page, followed by another one detailing the process and how data is handled. This is to warn wary users about any processing of the facial data.

Google says it will “review your selfie using a model to determine whether you’re a real person who is old enough.” It insists your facial data will be stored securely but also gives you the option to share it with Google to refine its facial recognition.

Interestingly, unlike Gemini’s avatar feature, which explicitly requires you to record a similar selfie video on your phone (presumably for higher quality), you can also set up the sign-in method directly using your computer’s webcam. This might raise some concerns about the feature’s reliability.

It’s worth noting that Google isn’t promoting video selfie as a regular sign-in method, but rather as one you use in rare events such as an account lockdown. Therefore, logging in with video will not be instant.

Once you set it up, Google might ask you to re-upload your video selfie every few months so it knows your latest look.