WSJ Tech News Briefing Behind the Passwords Alternative: Passkeys
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Sep 2, 2025 Explore the transformative potential of passkeys, which offer a safer, more convenient alternative to passwords. Uncover the challenges tech companies face with new age-verification regulations, including the contentious use of video selfies. Delve into the complexities of accurately assessing user age and the complications posed by emerging technologies like deep fakes. Learn how passkeys promise to simplify online authentication and what to expect in their future integration with existing systems.
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Age-Verification Rules Are Fragmented
- Age-verification laws vary widely across U.S. states and globally, creating inconsistent requirements for apps and app stores.
- Ann-Marie Alcántara highlights different approaches like parental permission, ID checks, and third-party verifiers.
Video Selfies Face Technical Limits
- Video selfies for age checks struggle with device quality, lighting, and deepfakes.
- Alcántara warns that camera quality and AI-generated fakes undermine reliability.
AI Signals Struggle With Accuracy
- AI-based age estimation using activity signals is error-prone, especially with shared family accounts.
- Alcántara notes that content and search signals can misclassify children and adults.