WATCH: Samsung Galaxy S10 face unlock system can be fooled

Recently, South Korean electronics giant Samsung anunced this year’s Galaxy S10 flagship line-up. While everyone seems impressed with phone’s overall design elements, as well as punch-hole in-display front-facing camera for selfies and video calls and ultrasonic, in-display fingerprint scanner, popular YouTube channel Unbox rapy has released a new video revealing a major flaw in Galaxy S10’s face unlock system.

In video, Unbox rapy’s Lewis Hilsenteger demonstrated flaw. Hilsenteger was able to unlock Galaxy S10 by pointing ar phone’s (Google Pixel 3) screen playing his video at S10’s face unlock sensor. Galaxy S10 recognised his registered face and unlocked device. We couldn’t verify claims me in video but if it’s indeed true, it poses a risk to a user’s privacy and ir device’s security.

“ Samsung Galaxy S10 features in-display fingerprint unlock and face unlock. After some testing, I'd suggest using fingerprint unlock exclusively. simple hack in this video defeats face unlock security. If convenience is your priority face unlock will work but understand potential consequences. Which unlocking style would you use on new Samsung Galaxy S10 and Galaxy S10 Plus?”

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How to avoid this issue

As demonstrated by Hilsenteger, he was able to exploit this security flaw multiple times. But this can be avoided. We show you what you can do to safeguard your privacy and your device’s security. As for time being until Samsung releases a software fix, we recommend that you should refrain from using face unlock system on your Samsung Galaxy S10. Inste of relying on your Samsung Galaxy S10’s face unlock feature, you can start using its ultra-sonic, in-display fingerprint scanner or pattern unlock as primary unlocking mechanism.

Hilsenteger argues that since his Pixel 3’s screen h many fingerprints on it, Samsung Galaxy S10 should t have ideally detected his face and unlocked phone. A software update from Samsung should fix issue. However, Samsung Galaxy S10 uses face unlock as default unlocking mechanism.

Update (03:55 PM / March 15, 2019): Samsung reached out to us with a statement. However, Samsung did t say wher company is willing to fix issue demonstrated in video with subsequent software updates. Here's what company has to say:

"Face recognition is a convenient action to unlock your phone. For cases requiring strong security, Samsung recommends using new in-display Ultrasonic Fingerprint Scanner that unlocks only with your physical fingerprint. Ultrasonic Fingerprint Scanner has been certified by FIDO Alliance with world’s first Biometric Component Certification that recognizes its vault-like security and industry best-practice for biometric-enabled devices."