Vein ID? Creepy Apple patent indicates that new versions of Face ID might map iPhone and iPad users’ facial veins to fool masked hackers

A very creepy-looking patent filed by Apple indicates that Cupertino may be working to implement vein mapping in upcoming versions of its Face ID biometric authentication tech. Vein mapping will the patterns of iPhone users’ veins beneath their skin. Patterns of venation are unique to people, just like their fingerprints. However, because veins are beneath the skin, vein mapping will help plug one of the few loopholes affecting Face ID security: highly sophisticated masks. 

3D vein mapping will be made possible by sub-epidermal imagery thanks to Face ID’s integrated infrared sensors. However, rather than mapping a user’s face like Face ID currently does, the new tech will of course map their vein pattern.

While Face ID has a very low false positive rate of approximately one in a million, this will be a step towards alleviating user worries about its security. On the other hand, in an environment where tech companies’ security practices are under increased scrutiny, it raises questions about the amount of biometric information users are willing to give to corporations.