- Google Wallet has added a new security feature to protect your data
- Seeing something in the app requires verification after three minutes
- This used previously only to make payments
As digital wallets have grown in popularity, it has become more important than ever that their safety is certifically rocked solid. After all, the last thing you need your credit card information or identity documents to fall into the wrong hands.
As discovered by 9to5Google, the Google Wallet app has made an adjustment aimed at protecting your security. Earlier, if you tried to pay for something using Google Wallet and three minutes had passed since you first opened the app, you would be asked to verify your identity using biometric info (such as a fingerprint or a facial scan) or enter your password. Once up to three minutes, confirm yourself if you want to use the app at all – even just watching its home screen.
This feature protects everything stored in the Google Wallet app, including details of debit cards, tickets, identity documents and more. This means that penetrating is not just prevented from paying for things if they have unauthorized access to your device – they will not be able to see anything in the app.
9to5Google noted the change in version 25.18 of the Google Wallet app on both Google Pixel and Samsung smartphones. Outlet said the feature appears to be in testing but has been seen more frequently over time.
It’s not the only security change that may come to Google Wallet. According to Reddit Reports, the Wear OS version of the app has required some users to enter a PIN every time they make a contactless payment. A Reddit user was apparently told by Google Support that “this is one of the security measures that Google will take to protect your transactions and your account for privacy” suggests it could be a intentional feature (rather than an error) that may soon roll out to other users.
Standing up on security
These days, digital wallet apps are used to save much more than just debit cards. You can carry virtually your entire identity on your smartphone, with items as trivial as loyalty cards and day goes by sitting with vital documents such as drivers’ licenses and credit cards. This means that it is more important than ever that digital wallets keep their content in security.
The wide range of items that apps like Google Wallet can save means you don’t just need protection against unauthorized users who use your hard-earned cash-you may not want them to look at your identity documents. With Google’s latest feature, accessing this information could become more difficult for bad actors who have physical access to your device.
However, there seems to be an easy lapse, as the latest change only asks for verification after three minutes. We conducted a brief and informal examination of Techradar’s authors who own Android phones, and only one reported that Google Wallet asked for approval when the app was first opened.
Maybe Google could further improve its security by requiring a pin or biometric approval when you first open Google Wallet, ensuring that your cards are kept safe and secure, whether three minutes have passed or not.
