Google’s New “Selfie Video” Identity Verification Feature to Gain Access to Locked Accounts

Google announced an optional "selfie video" biometric account recovery feature that lets users record a short motion-based facial video as a stored reference for future identity verification when traditional recovery methods (2FA, recovery email, trusted devices) are unavailable; Google states the video is stored with consent, encrypted at rest, and user-controllable, while acknowledging privacy and spoofing risks (e.g., deepfakes) and recommending layered MFA such as security keys and authenticator apps.