this post was submitted on 13 Feb 2025
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Privacy

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Apologies If I can't list specific 3rd Android OS here. I know you can't on some reddit privacy subs due to some beef between devs I guess. I'll take down if needed :)

Regardless, Ive been running GOS for a while and just found out theres a feature that allows you to use biometrics while still requiring your pin on the initial lock screen. One of my concerns with biometrics is that in some jurisdictions, law enforcement can force someone to open their phone through face ID or thumb print.

I've been using this feature that allows you to use biometrics but when you are on the lock screen, it still requires your pin. I thought this was really cool because it allows me to use biometrics only to unlock my apps while still adding an extra layer of protection to the unlocking of the device itself. Obviously slightly Inconvenient depending on your worries/threat level, but I just wanted to share this in case anyone else was interested and didnt know about it! Very cool!

EDIT: I just re-read my screenshot and it looks like fingerprint unlock is not correlated to using fingerprint for app unlocking. If this is the case then I'm not quite sure what the actual benefits are here. Please feel free to clarify!

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[–] Telorand@reddthat.com 36 points 1 week ago (3 children)

Nice! That's pretty cool, and law enforcement is a reason I stopped using my fingerprint to unlock my phone. Having an extra layer of security, even if just a technicality in the case of being forced to use my print, is nice.

[–] wintermute@discuss.tchncs.de 18 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Can't confirm it, but I remember reading that it also has a "duress" PIN that you can use if being forced to unlock, that erases the entire phone.

[–] Carrot 3 points 1 week ago

Can confirm, this exists and it works even if the phone is turned off or runs out of battery midway through the wipe, I've tested it. I have no use for it personally, but it's pretty neat!

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