# The iPhone 15 will be unlocked with a DNA Sample **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 4, 2017, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-iphone-15-will-be-unlocked-with-a-dna-sample/800689 "2017-11-04T17:47:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![AI\_Proofreader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@AI\_Proofreader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AI_Proofreader)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2017, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-iphone-15-will-be-unlocked-with-a-dna-sample/800689/1 "2017-11-04T17:47:57Z")
First it was fingerprints. [Now it’s facial recognition to unlock your phone with the iPhone X.](http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/features/iphone-x-facial-recognition-faceid-hands-on-feature-review-apple-new-phone-a8028851.html) I’d like to come forward as the first to predict that a future incarnation of the iPhone will require a DNA sample to unlock it. Is there any invasion of privacy that we won’t accept in the name of convenience? /grumble /getthehelloffmylawn ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2017, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-iphone-15-will-be-unlocked-with-a-dna-sample/800689/2 "2017-11-04T18:12:16Z")
I predict they will be implanted in our bodies. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2017, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-iphone-15-will-be-unlocked-with-a-dna-sample/800689/3 "2017-11-04T18:36:31Z")
You do realize using fingerprints and facial recognition are completely optional ways to unlock the phone on the user’s part, don’t you? You can still use traditional means such as a PIN or pattern, or not lock your phone at all if you don’t want to. ---
**Author:** ![AI\_Proofreader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@AI\_Proofreader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AI_Proofreader)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2017, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-iphone-15-will-be-unlocked-with-a-dna-sample/800689/4 "2017-11-04T18:40:40Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > You do realize using fingerprints and facial recognition are completely optional ways to unlock the phone on the user’s part, don’t you? You can still use traditional means such as a PIN or pattern, or not lock your phone at all if you don’t want to. I’m aware. It’s also perfectly reasonable to assume most people _won’t_ go to the trouble of doing so. Most won’t even know they can, care, or have the basic technical skills to change it. 99% of users will just go with whatever the default setting is on the latest auto-updated version of the OS. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2017, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-iphone-15-will-be-unlocked-with-a-dna-sample/800689/5 "2017-11-04T18:49:53Z")
> [@AI\_Proofreader](#): > > I’m aware. It’s also perfectly reasonable to assume most people _won’t_ go to the trouble of doing so. Most won’t even know they can, care, or have the basic technical skills to change it. 99% of users will just go with whatever the default setting is on the latest auto-updated version of the OS. The default is no unlocking code. On most phones you have to choose an unlocking method. Fingerprint scanning and facial recognition are not forced on the user. He has to actively select one of those methods and go through the process of setting it up. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2017, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-iphone-15-will-be-unlocked-with-a-dna-sample/800689/6 "2017-11-04T18:52:53Z")
It’s not an \*invasion \*of privacy, it’s to \*protect \*your privacy. You are betting that you are better off letting Apple have your biometrics than letting some random person who stole your phone have access to whatever is on your phone. And it’s not an invasion if you willingly hand it over. ---
**Author:** ![AI\_Proofreader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@AI\_Proofreader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AI_Proofreader)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2017, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-iphone-15-will-be-unlocked-with-a-dna-sample/800689/7 "2017-11-04T18:56:02Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > The default is no unlocking code. On most phones you have to choose an unlocking method. Fingerprint scanning and facial recognition are not forced on the user. He has to actively select one of those methods and go through the process of setting it up. I would have expected iPhones would prompt you to set an unlock code (or record your print) upon first use. But then I’m an Android user so I know nothing about iPhones’ first-run routine. On an Android phone you go through a 5-10 minute rigamarole where you enter your Google account or create one, choose settings, etc. It’s interesting though that despite it not being default, 89% of iPhone users employ fingerprint unlock: > **[Average iPhone user unlocks device 80 times per day, 89% use Touch ID, Apple...](https://appleinsider.com/articles/16/04/19/average-iphone-user-unlocks-device-80-times-per-day-89-use-touch-id-apple-says)** > > While reports covered the broad strokes of Apple's conference call on encryption last Friday, bits of information are still surfacing, including an interesting statistic that reveals an average iPhone user unlocks their device about 80 times a day. And apparently 52% of Android users: > [URL=“[Average iPhone user unlocks device 80 times per day, 89% use Touch ID, Apple says | AppleInsider](http://appleinsider.com/articles/16/04/19/average-iphone-user-unlocks-device-80-times-per-day-89-use-touch-id-apple-says)”] ---
**Author:** ![AI\_Proofreader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@AI\_Proofreader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AI_Proofreader)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2017, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-iphone-15-will-be-unlocked-with-a-dna-sample/800689/8 "2017-11-04T19:02:23Z")
> [@CookingWithGas](#): > > It’s not an \*invasion \*of privacy, it’s to \*protect \*your privacy. You are betting that you are better off letting Apple have your biometrics than letting some random person who stole your phone have access to whatever is on your phone. > > And it’s not an invasion if you willingly hand it over. Pretty crappy bet. Congress recently voted to allow ISPs to sell your information without permission: > **[Trump signs measure to let ISPs sell your data without consent](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/trump-signs-measure-let-isps-sell-your-data-without-consent-n742316)** > > Privacy activists launched a last-ditch effort to persuade Trump to veto the measure, but the White House had already said the president favored it. Anything not covered by this and similarly shitty measures can be easily allowed by weasel-words in EULA terms. Any information you willingly provide to anyone you should absolutely expect to either be shared, sold, or stolen by lots of other corporations and governmental agencies, and used for whatever purpose suits them. ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2017, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-iphone-15-will-be-unlocked-with-a-dna-sample/800689/9 "2017-11-04T19:06:03Z")
yes theres a tin foil hat brigade that goes nuts because the evil corporate overlords are keeping records of peoples faces and fingers for the takeover …of course these are the same lunatics that put 200 key passwords on their stuff… ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2017, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-iphone-15-will-be-unlocked-with-a-dna-sample/800689/10 "2017-11-04T19:08:18Z")
> [@AI\_Proofreader](#): > > I would have expected iPhones would prompt you to set an unlock code (or record your print) upon first use. But then I’m an Android user so I know nothing about iPhones’ first-run routine. On an Android phone you go through a 5-10 minute rigamarole where you enter your Google account or create one, choose settings, etc. > > It’s interesting though that despite it not being default, 89% of iPhone users employ fingerprint unlock: > > [Average iPhone user unlocks device 80 times per day, 89% use Touch ID, Apple says | AppleInsider](http://appleinsider.com/articles/16/04/19/average-iphone-user-unlocks-device-80-times-per-day-89-use-touch-id-apple-says) > > And apparently 52% of Android users: > > [authentication - What percent of Android users with fingerprint enabled phones use the fingerprint feature? - User Experience Stack Exchange](https://ux.stackexchange.com/questions/98189/what-percent-of-android-users-with-fingerprint-enabled-phones-use-the-fingerprin) > [URL=“[Average iPhone user unlocks device 80 times per day, 89% use Touch ID, Apple says | AppleInsider](http://appleinsider.com/articles/16/04/19/average-iphone-user-unlocks-device-80-times-per-day-89-use-touch-id-apple-says)”] I find it interesting that you don’t own an iPhone and admit not knowing how they work, but felt like you had to start a thread complaining how fingerprint scanning and facial recognition are used by Apple to steal your data. It sounds like recreational outrage at best. ---
**Author:** ![AI\_Proofreader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@AI\_Proofreader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AI_Proofreader)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2017, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-iphone-15-will-be-unlocked-with-a-dna-sample/800689/11 "2017-11-04T19:12:42Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > I find it interesting that you don’t own an iPhone and admit not knowing how they work, but felt like you had to start a thread complaining how fingerprint scanning and facial recognition are used by Apple to steal your data. It sounds like recreational outrage at best. iPhone _for example_ because it’s the trend-setter and the biggest Name. Obviously as stated above fingerprint recognition is becoming common on various Android models as well, and facial recognition as well. ---
**Author:** ![Turek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/turek/32/18782_2.png) [@Turek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turek)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2017, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-iphone-15-will-be-unlocked-with-a-dna-sample/800689/12 "2017-11-04T19:53:23Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > I find it interesting that you don’t own an iPhone and admit not knowing how they work, but felt like you had to start a thread complaining how fingerprint scanning and facial recognition are used by Apple to steal your data. It sounds like recreational outrage at best. AND you use a Google device signed into your Google account. 'Cause Google knows NOTHING about you. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2017, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-iphone-15-will-be-unlocked-with-a-dna-sample/800689/13 "2017-11-04T19:55:43Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > I predict they will be implanted in our bodies. A lot of them already are. Right along with the head of the user. ---
**Author:** ![AI\_Proofreader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@AI\_Proofreader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AI_Proofreader)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2017, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-iphone-15-will-be-unlocked-with-a-dna-sample/800689/14 "2017-11-04T20:12:48Z")
> [@Turek](#): > > AND you use a Google device signed into your Google account. > > 'Cause Google knows NOTHING about you. :rolleyes: Oh, this isn’t an Apple rant by any means. Google is just as bad, if not worse, in terms of privacy. But only because their user base is so much bigger. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Vorlon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d07c76/32.png) [@The\_Vorlon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Vorlon)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2017, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-iphone-15-will-be-unlocked-with-a-dna-sample/800689/15 "2017-11-04T20:58:42Z")
IPhone X unlocks with a big chunk from your wallet. ---
**Author:** ![Purd\_Werfect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e47c2d/32.png) [@Purd\_Werfect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Purd_Werfect)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2017, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-iphone-15-will-be-unlocked-with-a-dna-sample/800689/16 "2017-11-04T22:46:10Z")
Just so you know, the biometric data is not passed on to Apple in any way. The iPhone uses what is called a secure enclave which is a highly secure and highly isolated chip on the iOS device itself. There’s plenty of valid things in the world of technological privacy to be concerned about. This isn’t one of them. [About Touch ID advanced security technology - Apple Support](https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204587) ---
**Author:** ![AI\_Proofreader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@AI\_Proofreader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AI_Proofreader)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2017, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-iphone-15-will-be-unlocked-with-a-dna-sample/800689/17 "2017-11-04T22:56:20Z")
> [@Purd\_Werfect](#): > > Just so you know, the biometric data is not passed on to Apple in any way. The iPhone uses what is called a secure enclave which is a highly secure and highly isolated chip on the iOS device itself. There’s plenty of valid things in the world of technological privacy to be concerned about. This isn’t one of them. [About Touch ID advanced security technology - Apple Support](https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204587) [Apple Builds Backdoors into 600M iPhones and iPads](http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/apple-has-installed-security-backdoors-on-600-million-ios-devices-claims-security-researcher-9620480.html)[Apple Hands Over Data 81% of The Time When Asked](https://qz.com/620423/heres-how-often-apple-google-and-others-handed-over-data-when-the-us-government-asked-for-it/) [Apple Court-Ordered to Build Back Doors into iPhones](https://www.recode.net/2016/2/17/11587902/apples-cook-slams-court-order-to-build-a-backdoor-to-the-iphone) ---
**Author:** ![zbuzz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e19b73/32.png) [@zbuzz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zbuzz)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2017, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-iphone-15-will-be-unlocked-with-a-dna-sample/800689/18 "2017-11-05T02:55:26Z")
> [@AI\_Proofreader](#): > > [Apple Builds Backdoors into 600M iPhones and iPads](http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/apple-has-installed-security-backdoors-on-600-million-ios-devices-claims-security-researcher-9620480.html) You’re concerned about a three and a half year old needle-in-a-hatstack diagnostic hole that was closed soon after? > [@AI\_Proofreader](#): > > [Apple Hands Over Data 81% of The Time When Asked](https://qz.com/620423/heres-how-often-apple-google-and-others-handed-over-data-when-the-us-government-asked-for-it/) You’re also concerned about a company handing over data when presented with valid, legal requests from law enforcement? > [@AI\_Proofreader](#): > > [Apple Court-Ordered to Build Back Doors into iPhones](https://www.recode.net/2016/2/17/11587902/apples-cook-slams-court-order-to-build-a-backdoor-to-the-iphone) The same court called the order “unenforceable” and the DOJ eventually asked for the order to be vacated. ---
**Author:** ![Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/half_man_half_wit/32/21766_2.png) [@Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Half_Man_Half_Wit)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2017, 11:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-iphone-15-will-be-unlocked-with-a-dna-sample/800689/19 "2017-11-05T11:10:07Z")
So for the last ten years or so, people have been complaining about loss of privacy due to google, Apple, Microsoft, facebook or whomever. What I haven’t heard about, however, is how anybody so far has experienced any negative consequences because of that. There’s been lots of coulds and mights, lots of reasons why the principle of the thing is bad, but I haven’t seen many widespread practical consequences (doubtlessly, there have been some, but everything’s a tradeoff, and lots of things have become far more convenient). Has anyone’s quality of life actually suffered? ---
**Author:** ![Purd\_Werfect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e47c2d/32.png) [@Purd\_Werfect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Purd_Werfect)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2017, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-iphone-15-will-be-unlocked-with-a-dna-sample/800689/20 "2017-11-05T14:41:21Z")
> [@AI\_Proofreader](#): > > [Apple Builds Backdoors into 600M iPhones and iPads](http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/apple-has-installed-security-backdoors-on-600-million-ios-devices-claims-security-researcher-9620480.html)[Apple Hands Over Data 81% of The Time When Asked](https://qz.com/620423/heres-how-often-apple-google-and-others-handed-over-data-when-the-us-government-asked-for-it/) > > [Apple Court-Ordered to Build Back Doors into iPhones](https://www.recode.net/2016/2/17/11587902/apples-cook-slams-court-order-to-build-a-backdoor-to-the-iphone) None of those links refer to the biometric data being transmitted or compromised in any way. Again, there are genuine privacy concerns when it comes to current technologies, this is not one. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-iphone-15-will-be-unlocked-with-a-dna-sample/800689.md?page=2)