Amazon Passkey usage reaches a new high of 175 million users
After adopting passkeys as an alternative form of secure login for users in 2023, Amazon says usage has now surpassed 175 million customers taking advantage of the technology.
Password keys provide a more secure and phishing-resistant alternative to passwords by requiring users to use an authenticator app to confirm their identity before gaining access to their account. This authentication is usually done using a biometric measure, such as a fingerprint or facial recognition, or using a PIN code linked to a device or security key.
“Today, we’re proud to announce that more than 175 million customers have enabled passcodes for their Amazon accounts, allowing them to log in six times faster than they would otherwise. Adoption continues to grow every day as more customers experience the convenience of logging in without a password,” Amazon said said.
Global Password Acceptance
The launch of Amazon’s passkey was initially met with some skepticism, as two-factor authentication (2FA) remained active for accounts that used passkeys, effectively eliminating the faster login speed and convenience of passkeys. However, it appears that Amazon has since successfully resolved the issues and has even rolled out passcodes for AWS and Audible accounts.
Users who wish to set up a passkey for themselves can do so in the Amazon account settings by navigating to Login & Security and then clicking the ‘Set up’ button next to Password.
Passwords have been rapidly adopted across a range of industries, with Microsoft recently offering password key support for its Advanced Protection Program, and a range of password managers introducing the feature as standard on their platforms.
Additionally, the FIDO Alliance has released a draft set of specifications to enable passkeys to be transferred between credential management providers, providing greater security and choice for users looking to migrate between solutions.