The autofill feature on Chrome is nothing new for us. Yet, it’s one of the most convenient and handiest features for a web browser to have. As the name is suggestive of and you all know all too well, it primarily serves one function, to fill form fields automatically once the page loads without needing any user interaction or input. Note that all the data is stored with the user’s permission and they don’t share the same with any other party. This also includes details like passwords, contact, payment info etc.
While the feature is secure in itself, Google Chrome has recently added another feature to make it a much more secure experience for the users, and a much needed one at that too amid growing concerns of data theft and need for privacy and security.
Earlier, Chrome for Android used to save credit card information and have users confirm their 3 digit CVV as an added measure of security. While for most, this is a very simple, easy and a straightforward method, Google wanted to take it a step further in terms of simplicity and has added the feature of fingerprint confirmation, much similar to the face recognition unlock on the Google Pixel 4. Google has upgraded and updated the Chrome autofill feature that lets the users authenticate their credit card information for transactions via the biometric verification feature. Unless, of course if you are using the particular credit card for the first time, then you have to manually enter the CVV. Also do note that Chrome only allows to make use of this feature on sites that the user has visited before, thereby preventing users from manually entering the details into a phishing site.
For users interested in this update, there’s an initial set up procedure to start using it. And what’s better is that, it is entirely optional. So, all those worrying about it, rest assured, the biometric authentication update can be disabled via the settings.
Coming to the security concerns, this technology is absolutely safe. Google Chrome makes use of the W3C standard WebAuthn to secure the user data and locally store it, ensuring that it doesn’t leave the device ever.
While the update is already available on Mac and Windows, the same can’t be said for mobiles though. Mobile users have to wait for “the coming weeks” before this update is finally available.
Also reportedly, Google is in the process of simplifying entering username and password details. A new “touch to fill” feature is in the works that utilizes the credentials stored in Google Chrome’s password manager, showing all the saved accounts for the website in question in an easy to use sheet titled “Continue with account.” The domain name and relevant email IDs are listed down that allows a one handed sign in, removing the need to scroll through the entire list.
While it first popped up as a flag some months back, the “touch to fill” feature is also expected to roll out in the near future. According to Google, both the updates are expected to make their debut in the coming weeks. While the biometric feature is already available on Windows and Mac, it is still unclear if the sign in feature will have a similar revamp for its desktop counterpart.
Deepanjan Datta
Management student who likes to write articles at times, into mobile photography and likes to cook as a hobby.
