Technology
Google tests voice matching to secure purchases by Google Assistant
Google's Voice Match Assistant feature can now secure purchases made through its voice assistant as part of a limited pilot program. The company's spokesperson has confirmed to Android Police that the functionality is new and is designed to help secure purchases of smart speakers and smart displays. It is currently limited to digital in-app purchases via Google Play, as well as restaurant orders.
When we followed the instructions shown on Google's support page to enable the feature, we saw only the option to enable an assistant to unlock existing fingerprints or face security methods.
Other users reported that they were able to see the Voice Match menu option, but that the software froze when they tried to enable it.
The screenshots that Android Police has posted show the setup process for the feature. "Use your voice to check it out when you make a purchase with your Assistant" reads the software. It also warns that the security feature may not be perfect, noting that "someone with a similar voice or recording may be able to confirm purchases on devices you are logged in to."
Although this may not be the most secure method, using your voice as security has the potential to be much more seamless than using your phone to respond to a fingerprint or face unlock prompt.
It may also be more convenient than the current protection system of Alexa, which requires you to use a PIN to secure transactions made with your voice.
Voice Match is a Google Assistant feature that allows an Assistant to say a difference between who addresses it. Last month, 9to5Google announced that Google has modified the Voice Match training process to make it possible to differentiate between people with "significantly higher accuracy." However, there are still still limitations to how much money you can spend using only your voice as protection, Google confirmed to Android Police.
Considering that the Google I / O 2020 developer conference was set to take place earlier this month, there is speculation that the company had planned to launch it there. Google did not give any indication as to when voice match confirmed purchases could see a wider release.
