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Samsung Patches Fingerprint Problem

October 24, 2019

Last week, I gave another example as to why you shouldn't configure your phone to unlock with a fingerprint. Samsung has now released a patch to fix the reported problem with the fingerprint reader and some third-party screen protectors. As The Verge reports, Samsung stated that the error was due to the ultrasonic fingerprint mistakenly "recognizing 3-dimensional patterns appearing on certain silicone screen protecting cases as users' fingerprints."

The patch is only available in Korea now, but will be rolling out to other countries shortly. Apparently, it will only be pushed out to devices that are configured with fingerprint unlock. Android Police reports, "Samsung recommends everyone with fingerprints registered should remove third-party screen protectors from the phone immediately. Once the biometric update hits phones, you'll want to re-register your fingerprints, and the new algorithms should prevent screen protector patterns from contaminating biometric data going forward."

It is unclear if the suggestion is for all users to delete their fingerprints and rescan or if the patch will really fix the problem.

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