On Thursday, Google revealed that it is introducing a selfie video feature for users to log into their accounts, aligning with a rising trend among tech firms that believe biometrics, rather than passwords, represent the future of online identity verification. The tech behemoth asserts that selfie videos provide users with additional alternatives for signing in if they find themselves locked out or lack access to their typical phone or computer.

To establish a selfie video, users will need to face their device’s camera and perform a few guided head movements—such as turning to the right or left or nodding—to record different angles of their face. Should users encounter issues signing in later, they can capture another selfie video to regain access to their account, and Google will compare this new video to the one recorded during setup to verify the individual’s identity.

A significant challenge that Google aims to address is the verification of a genuine human presence, rather than a bot or a manipulated video, being visible on the camera. “When you utilize a selfie for sign-in, we implement multiple security layers to help inhibit impersonation attempts, including fake images and videos (i.e., deep fakes),” Google stated in its blog. “For instance, we compare your video to your stored selfie and require you to execute simple movements to demonstrate it’s a live video. We also apply our routine security procedures to identify and prevent suspicious sign-in efforts.”

This initiative goes beyond individual accounts. With the increasing sophistication of AI-generated videos, “liveness” checks are becoming essential for any organization managing logins, payments, or sensitive information.

While the new feature may assist in shielding accounts from fraud and aid users in recovering locked accounts, it simultaneously raises worries about user privacy and the collection of biometric data, an area that regulators have scrutinized more closely as companies develop products involving facial and voice data.

Google claims that selfie videos are securely stored with encryption and remain protected even when not actively used, and users have the option to delete these videos from their Google account whenever they wish.