New earphone design verifies users by their heartbeat, simplifying authentication

Your earbuds may soon identify you by your heartbeat

Researchers have developed a new earbud authentication system that can recognize users through tiny heartbeat vibrations inside the ear canal. The idea sounds futuristic — but it may be closer to reality than you’d expect.

New earphone design verifies users by their heartbeat, simplifying authentication

The use of biometric data in personal devices has been popular with consumers for tracking things like heart rate and sleep stages, but it is becoming increasingly common for identification purposes too. Identifying data can be used for device security authentication, secure access control and identity verification for financial transactions, which can make everyday activities like making purchases, using devices or entering your home more conve…