Google has introduced a new feature called Restore Credentials which saves your app login info and restores it seamlessly on new devices.

  • @kolorafa
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    191 day ago

    No thanks, sounds like security and privacy nightmare.

    The part about “no user interaction required” doesnt feel right secure.

    Especially as it is stored at google servers, it says it is encrypted but it is encrypred using keys that google has access to as they are unlocked with you logging in into google account.

    • @[email protected]
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      19 hours ago

      it says it is encrypted but it is encrypred using keys that google has access to as they are unlocked with you logging in into google account.

      First it uses lock screen password, so google do not have access to this password.

      Even if your lock screen is unfortunately your Google password, I think proper authentication protocol do not send your password to Google to authenticate, but only the hash, which cannot be reverted to derive your password.

      Obviously, the above is assuming that Google is not malicious. Otherwise it can just use play service, which is privileged and closed source, to get all your data. If your threat model including Google itself trying to steal your key, you will probably need to install a trusted rom or use iOS (however, apple and the rom developer can also steal your key).

    • u/lukmly013 💾 (lemmy.sdf.org)
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      1 day ago

      Aren’t they encrypted with the phone’s lockscreen password? You very much need that to restore cloud backups. Not that it has much value if you’re a 4 digit PIN person…

      Anyway, I can use a search engine:

      Some data is further encrypted with your device’s screen lock. Photos and videos stored in Google Photos, and MMS media received from your carrier are not encrypted by your device’s screen lock.

      Well, what is some data?

      Anyway, I wish for something universal for offline backups. I mean, without root.

    • atocci
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      41 day ago

      It’s only stored with Google if cloud backup is enabled it says. Otherwise, the keys are transferred along with all the other data directly from device to device when switching.