Google's Passkey Takeover Predicts the End of Passwords (Maybe)

In a world where remembering passwords is as fun as getting a root canal, Google is here to help. They've determined that passkeys will be the default method of accessing personal accounts. It's as if they're attempting to eliminate the terrible "Forgot password?" link.

Invasion of the Passkeys

Let's take a step back. Google dipped its toes into the passkey water in October 2022, providing support for Android and Chrome. They will expand this passkey feature to anyone with personal Google accounts in May 2023. Today, they're going all-in on passkey signing by making it the default choice for individual accounts.

What does this have to do with you? So, the next time you log into your Google account, you won't see that old password field. Instead, you'll be prompted to create and utilize passkeys. It's the same as replacing your rusted old key with a brand-new electronic keycard.

You'll note that the "Skip password when possible" option is enabled in your Google Account settings. Google states, "We've got your back, and we're skipping that pesky password."

But before you say goodbye to your passwords for good, Google has a friendly reminder: the conventional password isn't going away anytime soon. It's similar to attempting to eliminate your favorite worn-out footwear. Google informs us that the password option will remain available for private accounts. If you feel nostalgic, you can even turn off the "Skip password when possible" toggle in your account settings.

Passkey Fever Spreads

Google isn't the only company that has jumped on the passkey bandwagon. They have spread the passkey gospel to companies such as Uber and eBay. It's as if they're throwing a passkey party to which everyone is invited.

Even the messaging giant WhatsApp has received the passkey memo. They plan to launch the passkey option shortly. It's like the last guest arriving at the passkey soiree fashionably late.

However, the passkey revolution does not end there. Apple's iOS 17 upgrade enabled third-party iOS apps to implement passkey signing. Apple chose to join the procession fashionably late as well. Apps like 1Password and TikTok hopped on the passkey bandwagon immediately. Not to be outdone, PayPal implemented passkey support in October 2022. They appear to compete for the "Who Can Kill Passwords First" trophy.

Microsoft has also caught the passkey bug with its "Moment 4" update for Windows 11. Passkey compatibility is being added to several browsers, including Microsoft Edge, Chrome, and Firefox. They suggest, "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em." Even Microsoft-owned GitHub has jumped the passkey bandwagon, making developers' lives easier.

The End of the Password?

Is the classic password as we know it on its way out as passkeys become the new normal? It's too soon to proclaim the password extinct. It's like the flip phone – some folks are nostalgic, and some are still holding on for dear life.

In conclusion, Google's move to make passkeys the default option for personal accounts indicates changing times. Passkeys are taking center stage, and the reign of the password is slowly coming to a close. It's like saying goodbye to an old friend – bittersweet, but it's time to move forward. So, if you're still clinging to your passwords, it might be time to embrace the passkey revolution.

But one thing is sure: the world is getting closer to a password-free existence. Passkeys provide convenience and security that passwords cannot. It's the equivalent of progressing from a bicycle to a spaceship.

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by Rubah Usman via Digital Information World