Google has introduced a selfie-based account recovery option, allowing eligible users to regain access by recording a video of their face in advance and later completing a live selfie check. The feature could make lockouts easier to resolve, but it also raises privacy and security concerns because facial video data is stored by Google and deepfakes may complicate identity verification.

The option is unavailable for Workspace, child and Advanced Protection accounts; the latter already requires security keys and stronger safeguards. Google says videos are encrypted, may be deleted through account settings, and are not used to improve facial-recognition technology unless users opt in; the live check requires head movements to establish that the person is real.