After WhatsApp and Google, Amazon introduces passwordless passkey sign-in feature

Amazon is rolling out passkey support on browsers and mobile shopping apps (iOS users), making it easier and safer for customers to access their accounts with passwordless sign-in. Customers can now set up passkeys in their Amazon settings, allowing them to use the same face, fingerprint, or PIN used to unlock their device. The implementation of the passkey feature on Amazon’s platforms comes days after WhatsApp announced similar support for its Android app, while Google did it some weeks back. Also Read: Amazon Layoffs: 15% Employees Fear Job Cuts, Who Will Be Impacted?

“This is about giving customers ease-of-use and security simultaneously in their Amazon experience,” said Dave Treadwell, senior vice president of e-commerce at Amazon. “While passwords will still be around in the foreseeable future, this is an exciting step in the right direction. We are thrilled to be an early adopter of this new authentication method, helping to realize our vision for a more secure, passwordless internet,” Treadwell added. Also Read: Diwali Sale Bonanza! 5 Best Home Appliances Deals To Buy This Diwali

How are passkeys better than passwords?

Passkey support is available for all Amazon customers using browsers and is gradually rolling out on the iOS Amazon Shopping app with support coming soon on the Android Amazon Shopping app, the e-commerce giant said in a statement late on Monday. Also Read: Amazon Prime Video Down: Users In India And Other Regions Report Widespread Streaming Outage

Unlike passwords, passkeys cannot be written down or guessed, helping to prevent the accidental sharing of a passkey with a hacker. Passkeys are digital keys that are unique to an account and a device. A sign-in is authenticated only when these keys match. “When a customer uses a passkey on their device, it proves they have their device and are able to unlock it. Customers no longer need to worry about remembering unique passwords or using easy-to-guess identifiers, like names or birthdays,” said Amazon. A customer can use passkeys to sign in to apps and sites the same way they unlock their devices — with a fingerprint, face scan, or lock screen PIN. Passkeys are also less susceptible to phishing attacks than passwords and one-time codes in text messages, making them a more secure option, said the company.

— Written with inputs from IANS