It’s protecting you against the police, who operate under a legal framework which prevents them from beating you with a rubber hose but not from obtaining your fingerprints.
I left the caveat out for the sake of brevity, but like I said the threat model this functionality is addressing is not one where the attacker can utilize any means necessary. Is there any practical system which can address that scenario?
This brings up a good point though, is it true that, let’s say TSA agents, can force you to unlock your phone with your fingerprint but not with a passcode? Honest question.
https://xkcd.com/538/
Not the threat model this functionality is addressing.
What does it address though? I mean seriously, do you really think you can resist in really dangerous situations?
It’s protecting you against the police, who operate under a legal framework which prevents them from beating you with a rubber hose but not from obtaining your fingerprints.
I am too cynic to comment on that. I just wish the world was this easy.
I left the caveat out for the sake of brevity, but like I said the threat model this functionality is addressing is not one where the attacker can utilize any means necessary. Is there any practical system which can address that scenario?
This brings up a good point though, is it true that, let’s say TSA agents, can force you to unlock your phone with your fingerprint but not with a passcode? Honest question.
I don’t know about TSA, but it’s true that cops can.
As far as I know, fingerprints aren’t protected under the fifth amendment but passwords are: http://mashable.com/2014/10/30/cops-can-force-you-to-unlock-phone-with-fingerprint-ruling/#g3MF5oyDTOqN
I suppose it’s a sad commentary on modern society that this actually somewhat reassures me, but it does.
Reassures you in what situation?