Apple has released a detailed explanation of Face ID.


In the public document, apple explains the working principle, working conditions of the Face ID, privacy, security, as well as the matters needing attention and so on related content.


Apple says Face ID matches users’ “depth information” that can’t be found in printouts or 2D digital photos. Face ID is also designed with a sophisticated anti-fraud neural network to protect against fraud using masks or other technologies.


Thanks to its facial motion-sensing capabilities, Face ID can also recognize if your eyes are open and looking at the device, which Apple says “makes it harder for someone to unlock your iPhone without your knowledge, such as while you’re asleep.”


Apple also points out that Face ID automatically detects changes in your appearance, such as makeup or the growth of facial hair. If you’ve made more significant changes to your appearance (like shaving a beard), Face ID will ask you to verify your identity with a password before updating your facial data.


For example, Face ID works when you’re wearing a hat, scarf, glasses, contact lenses, and assorted sunglasses. And Face ID works when you’re indoors, outdoors, or in total darkness.


However, apple also points out in the document that since some people (such as twins, siblings who look like you, and children under the age of 13) may not have fully developed facial features, they are advised to use passwords for authentication.



The full text of apple Face ID’s official explanation document is as follows:

Much of our digital lives are stored on iphones, and it’s important to keep that information secure. In the same way that Touch ID revolutionized authentication with fingerprint technology, Face ID uses facial recognition to transform authentication. Face ID provides a secure and intuitive authentication method by accurately mapping the geometry of your face using the latest protoscopic camera system and advanced technologies.


Face ID can securely unlock your iPhone X with just one look. You can use this technology to authorize purchases in the iTunes Store, App Store, iBooks Store, and Apple Pay for payments. Developers can also let you use face ID to log into their applications. Apps that currently support Touch ID will automatically support face ID.


Advanced technology


The technology used to implement Face ID is some of the most advanced hardware and software we have developed to date. The proto-deep camera captures accurate facial data by projecting and analyzing more than 30,000 invisible points to create a depth map of your face; It also captures an infrared image of your face. The A11 bionic chip’s neural network engine, part of which is safely housed in a Secure Enclave, converts depth maps and infrared images into mathematical representations, which are then compared with registered facial data.


Face ID automatically ADAPTS to changes in your appearance, such as putting on makeup or growing facial hair. If you have a more significant change in your appearance (such as shaving your beard), Face ID asks you to verify your identity with a password before updating your face data. Face ID works when you’re wearing hats, scarves, glasses, contact lenses, and assorted sunglasses. In addition, it works well indoors, outdoors, and even in all-black environments.


To get started with Face ID, you need to register your face. You can do this during the initial setup process or later by going to Settings > Face ID & Password. To unlock the iPhone X with Face ID, you only need to look at it. Face ID requires you to scan your face using a primoscopic camera, which allows you to place the iPhone X flat on a surface or hold the phone naturally. The field of view of the original deep motion camera is similar to that of a front-facing camera for taking a photo or making a FaceTime call. Face ID works best when the device is no more than an arm’s length away from the face (25-50 cm from the face).



The protosensor camera activates intelligently when the iPhone X is lifted to wake up, tapped to wake up the screen, or a notification comes in to wake up the screen. Each time you unlock the iPhone X, the protosensor camera takes accurate depth data and infrared images to identify you. The system matches this information with a stored mathematical representation to complete authentication.


Safety protection measures


Security is vital to all of us, keeping the information on our devices secure. We take some important steps to protect your information, just as we do with Touch ID. Face ID provides a secure authentication solution that leverages protosensor cameras and machine learning technology. Face ID data, including various mathematical representations of your face, is encrypted and protected by a key used only by Secure Enclave.


The probability that any one person in the crowd looks at your iPhone X and uses face ID to unlock the device is roughly 1 in 1,000,000 (versus 1 in 50,000 with Touch ID). As an extra measure of protection, face ID allows only five failed match attempts before entering a password. This statistical probability varies for some people, including twins, siblings who look like you, and children under the age of 13, who may not have fully developed facial features. If you have any doubts about this technique, it is recommended that you use a password for authentication.


Face ID matches depth information that can’t be found in a printed copy or 2D digital photo. It uses a sophisticated anti-fraud neural network in its design to prevent frauds using masks or other technologies. Face ID even has the ability to sense facial movements. It can tell if your eyes are open and look at the device. That makes it harder for someone to unlock your iPhone without your knowledge, such as while you’re asleep.


To use Face ID, you must set a password on your iPhone. You must enter a password to complete additional security verification in the following cases:

  • The device has just been powered on or restarted.
  • The device has been locked for more than 48 hours.
  • No passcode has been used to unlock the device in the last six and a half days, and no face ID has been used to unlock the device in the last four hours.
  • The device received the remote lock command. Procedure
  • After five failed facial matching attempts.
  • After pressing either volume button and side button at the same time for 2 seconds to power off/initiate SOS emergency contact.


If your device is lost or stolen, you can use the Find My iPhone Lost mode to prevent someone from using face ID to unlock your device.


privacy


Apple takes privacy very seriously. Face ID data, including various mathematical representations of your face, is encrypted and protected by Secure Enclave. This data is continuously optimized and updated throughout your use of Face ID, including upon successful authentication, to improve your experience. If Face ID detects a similar match, but the customer then unlocks the device by entering a password, it updates that data as well.



Face ID data does not leave the device and is never backed up to iCloud or anywhere else. Face ID diagnostic data is transmitted from your device only if you want to provide it to AppleCare for support. Even in that case, the data is not automatically sent to Apple; You can view and approve diagnostic data before sending it.


After you choose to register your Face ID, you can control how it is used or deactivate it at any time. For example, if you don’t want to use Face ID to unlock your iPhone, go to Settings > Face ID & Password > Use Face ID, and then disable iPhone Unlock. To disable face ID, go to Settings > Face ID & Password, then tap Reset Face ID. Doing so deletes face ID data from your device, including various mathematical representations of your face. If you choose to use Find My iPhone or erase or restore your device by erasing all content and Settings, all face ID data will be deleted.


Even if you don’t sign up for Face ID, the primordial camera will activate intelligently to support facial motion-sensing features, such as dimming the display when you’re not looking at your iPhone or turning down the volume when you’re looking at your device. For example, when you use Safari, the device checks to make sure you’re not looking at the device; If not, close the screen. If you don’t want to use these features, go to Settings > General > Accessibility, and then disable Facial Motion Awareness.


In supported applications, you can enable face ID authentication. The system only notifies the application if the authentication is successful. The app cannot access face ID data associated with a registered face.


security


Both the iPhone and the original sensor camera system have been thoroughly tested and meet international safety standards. The system is very safe under normal operating conditions. Due to the low output, this system does not cause any damage to the eyes or skin. Infrared emitters can be damaged during the repair or disassembly process, so it is vital that your iPhone is always serviced by Apple or an authorized service provider. The original deep sensing camera system has the function of tamper detection. If tampering is detected, the system may be disabled for security reasons.



When viewing through certain types of cameras, you may notice that the primary depth camera lights up. This is normal because some cameras may be able to detect infrared light. One may also notice that the primordial camera shimmers when viewing in a very dark room. This is normal in extremely dark conditions.


Auxiliary function


Accessibility is an integral part of Apple products. Users with limited mobility can select “Accessibility options” during registration, so that users can capture data from different angles without fully turning their heads; And it’s still safe to use, but you’ll be more consistent when you look at the iPhone X.


Face ID is also equipped with assistive features to support those who are blind or visually impaired. If you don’t want face ID to require you to open your eyes to look at the iPhone X, go to Settings > General > Accessibility, and then disable Need to Look to enable Face ID. If you enable VoiceOver during the initial setup, this feature is automatically disabled.


(Photo: LA Times)