• News
  • Reviews
  • Editorial
  • Features
  • Shareables
  • Forums
Search
Sign in
Welcome! Log into your account
Forgot your password? Get help
Password recovery
Recover your password
A password will be e-mailed to you.
Techweez Techweez Techweez
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Editorial
  • Features
  • Shareables
  • Forums
  • News

Facebook Isn’t Afraid of Sign in with Apple

By
George Kamau
-
June 12, 2019
0

Sign in with Apple was one of the most exciting features announced at WWDC 2019 that happened early this month. The sign in method was a clear attack on other single sign-on(SSO) features from companies like Google, Twitter, and Facebook.

Apple stated that the new authentication option will be mandatory for all App Stores apps once it goes live later this year. It is going to be challenging to get developers on board. Unlike Google’s and Facebook’s SSO, Apple will protect users’ privacy by creating a new and anonymized email address for each service access via Sign In. When it launches, Sign in with Apple will let you log in to any service on any platform using an Apple account if you have one sparing you the need to either remember complex passwords or deal with randomly generated authentication codes.

Facebook had a similar tool

So, let’s get to Facebook. The social media giant doesn’t think that Sign in with Apple will get developers interested. During the 2019 Code Conference organized by Recode, Andrew “Boz” Bosworth, Facebook’s VP who currently leads its hardware efforts said that Facebook had launched a similar anonymous login tool at their annual F8 conference and it wasn’t popular with developers and at that time developers not only used the email for login but also for a couple of different parts of their workflows. Andrew then adds that developers get a lot of value in their entire chain of acquiring consumers and re-engaging them by virtue of having access to that email address. He concludes by saying that they’ll be watching how the new authentication feature plays out for Apple as it rolls out.


I the talk, Adam Mosseri who runs Instagram was also present and said that breaking up the social media platform won’t solve the issues it has.

“Personally, if we split it off, it might make a lot of my life easier, and it would probably be beneficial for me as an individual. But I just think it’s a terrible idea. If you’re trying to solve election integrity, if you’re trying to approach content issues like hate speech, and you split us off, it would just make it exponentially more difficult — particularly for us at Instagram — to keep us safe.”

Is another single sign-on(SSO) really necessary and is Apple’s new feature safe?

If you’re already inside Apple’s walled garden, the feature could be one of the most secure single sign-on they can have but if you’re not, it’s going to be challenging. Sign in with Apple will, however, be available on the web so if you don’t have any Apple device, you could use the feature.

To enhance the security of your account, you’ll have to use the weaker SMS-based 2FA that leaves your account more vulnerable.

SSO works by generating a token that authenticates your identity so you now have to remember only one password –  it’s alluring but imperfect. SSO’s are not without a flaw – either Google’s, Facebook’s, Twitter’s or even Apple’s. If it is breached, all your accounts that depend on your SSO become vulnerable.

Google’s one tap 2FA is a much better and secure way than SMS based 2FA Apple offers but the tech giant has FaceID, TouchID and pop-up prompts after setup if you have an Apple device. If you don’t you’re stuck with SMS based 2FA.

SSO systems are less secure than password managers. Late last year, Facebook admitted to a breach where hackers stole SSO security tokens from tens of millions of accounts. This wasn’t the first breach. Thank God, Facebook dropped their version of this tool.

Apple hopes that its relatively strong stance on user privacy(it’s no angel either) will lure developers and have an intuitive user interface for regular users on board with their SSO.


To be totally safe, ditch these passwords, get a password manager and enable 2FA on all platforms that offer it including using a hardware key if possible. If you must use SS0, use more than one just to be sure.

All in all,  in the era of antitrust probes, Apple is just the latest giant tech company that just wants to consolidate your data and regulators have started showing interest.

The Department of Justice will certainly be investigating Apple for its [consults notes] privacy-enhancing monopoly https://t.co/kl1MLqI1pR

— Glenn Fleishman (@GlennF) June 3, 2019


  • TAGS
  • Facebook
  • Sign in with Apple
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
WhatsApp
Linkedin
Telegram
    Previous article[Video] TekITnGo : The Asus Zenbook 14 Review
    Next articleHuawei’s HongMeng/Ark OS Reportedly Performs Faster Than Android
    George Kamau
    I brunch on consumer tech | first.last at techweez dot com

    RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

    Mercy Ndegwa, Director Public Policy East and Horn of Africa, Meta

    Kenya Decides 2022: Meta’s Efforts to Promote Election Integrity on Its Platforms

    TikTok

    Facebook Paid Republican Firm to Run TikTok Smear Campaign

    Facebook

    Facebook to Verify Political Ads Ahead of August Elections

    Netflix

    Tech Companies That Have Suspended Services in Russia

    TikTok

    Social Media Platforms Can’t Keep Up With Misinformation on Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine

    Maidan, Kiev, Ukraine | Image Courtesy - Silver Ringvee

    How Tech Companies Are Responding to Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine

    Paul Russo Takes Over Joshua Oigara’s CEO Roles At KCB

    News May 24, 2022

    Huawei Plans To Bounce Back In Kenya With Budget nova Y Series

    News May 24, 2022

    Equity Bank Goes Big On AI With EVA Chatbot Rollout, Alongside Equity Online That Replaces EazzyNet

    News May 24, 2022
    Infinix Hot 12 Play Review

    Infinix Hot 12 Play Full Review: The Sweet Spot

    News May 23, 2022

    E-Cab Firm Little Ventures Into Logistics

    News May 23, 2022
    Blackview BL8800

    Blackview BL8800 series is available now with an unmissable $335 off early bird offer

    News May 23, 2022
    OPPO Reno4(left) VS OPPO Reno5(right)

    This Android Version Is the Most Widely Used at the Moment

    News May 21, 2022
    Infinix Note 12 VIP

    Infinix Note 12 Series Available for Pre-order in Kenya

    News May 21, 2022

    Proposed Broadcasting Regulations Warn Broadcasters Of Unequal Coverage During Polls

    Features May 20, 2022

    MasterCard, Opay Partner to Intro Bank Independent Virtual Payment Solution

    News May 19, 2022

    Investment Platform Hisa Joins NVIDIA Inception Program to Bump Automated Investing

    News May 19, 2022

    Huawei Announces A Bunch Of Wearable Devices That Could Make Their Way To Kenya

    News May 19, 2022
    Load more
    Techweez
    • About Us
    • Advertise Here
    • Communities
    • Contact Us
    • Jobs