Reports claimed that the reason for this decision is because Google considers the feature “less secure,” hence the warning before it being enabled.
Google is reportedly working to remove a feature that let users unlock their smartphones while interacting with the Google Assistant and may introduce a more secure option. According to 9to5google, the “Unlock with Voice Match” feature may soon replaced on all Android devices dur to security concerns. The has already removed it on the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL smartphones that it launched earlier this month.
“Unlock with Voice Match” is a way for users to have their voice as a device passcode. When a user summons the Google Assistant with “OK Google” and then commanded a second action like calling a friend, the phone could authenticate that it was the owner of the phone who trained the voice model and the proceeded as planned. The feature is already considered “less secure” and apparently this is why the system warns users before enabling it. “A similar voice or recording of your voice could unlock your device,” the system says in the warning.
Google Assistant settings in Pixel 2 (left) and Pixel 3 (right).
Google replaced the feature in the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL smartphones and replaced it with “Lock screen personal results.” So on Pixel 3 devices, the Voice Match will only show email, calendar and contacts through the Assistant interface and any further action will require a password or fingerprint unlock. “Our upcoming APK Insight of Google app 8.39 reveals an ‘Updated Voice Match’ prompt that details the replacement and that ‘Lock screen personal results’ will be the ‘more secure way’ going forward,” the report by 9to5google noted. The report also says the changes are not yet enabled as of Google app 8.39 and may take effect on future versions or via a server-side update.
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