Lost your phone or forgot your password? Google's new selfie video feature will grant access to Gmail..

When front-facing cameras first appeared on mobile phones nearly two decades ago, few likely imagined that the humble selfie would one day serve as a means of verifying one's identity. The trend gradually gained momentum, and in 2013, the Oxford Dictionary even named "Selfie" the Word of the Year. Now, the selfie is evolving beyond mere photography; it can also help secure your Gmail account. Here is how it works.

**Selfie Video Feature for Gmail Sign-in**
Google has introduced a "Selfie Video" feature to enhance the security of Gmail logins. This feature makes it easier to access your account even if you forget your password or lose your phone.

Setting up this feature is straightforward; the option can be found within the "Security and Sign-in" section of Gmail's settings. You will need to scan your face using your phone's camera by recording a video while slightly turning your head at various angles. The process will be quite similar to setting up Face ID on an iPhone.

**Similar to iPhone's Face ID Setup**
Once the setup is complete, you can choose the "Selfie Video" option whenever you need to log in to Gmail. A new video will then be recorded and compared against the previously saved video to verify that the person attempting to access the account is indeed you.

Given the rising threats posed by AI and deepfakes, the system will also verify that the video is genuine and live. You may be asked to perform a few simple movements for this purpose.

**Useful Even if the Phone is Stolen**
This feature can prove particularly useful if your phone is stolen. You could log in to your Gmail account from another device to track your phone or remove your account from the stolen device. While such actions are currently possible, difficulties often arise when a SIM card or other standard verification methods are unavailable.

That said, selfie video verification is not an entirely new concept; platforms like Instagram are already utilizing similar identity verification systems.

Questions Regarding Selfie Video Privacy
It is natural for questions regarding privacy to arise with this feature. Google states that the selfie video will remain entirely under the user's control; it will be recorded only with your permission and stored securely.

Users can delete it from their Google Account at any time. According to Google, the video will be used solely to make the sign-in process easier and more secure. Furthermore, the video will remain encrypted while stored, ensuring the safety of your information.