Google is adding passkey support to its Advanced Protection Program (APP). A service aimed at targets at high risk of hacking or other fraud, such as elected officials or human rights workers, APP is the company’s top-tier security option. Previously, the program required a physical security key.
Google’s new announcement acknowledged that the physical component made the APP less viable for some of the people who needed the service the most. People who sign up for the APP will now be able to choose between using a passkey or a physical key.
Google is one of many tech companies that has started offering passkeys for security, starting with Android and Chrome in 2022 and expanding to all accounts in 2023.
Google announced last month that more than 400 million accounts have used passkeys more than 1 billion times. That’s a huge number, but overall, adoption of this technology is still gradual.
Google to Provide Cybersecurity Support to Internews
Google’s announcements didn’t stop there. The internet giant also announced that it has partnered with nonprofit media organization Internews to provide cybersecurity support to its network of journalists and human rights advocates. The arrangement will cover ten countries, including Brazil, Mexico, and Poland.