Qualcomm hit for 'unsecure' ultrasonic fingerprint scanners

A user tries to unlock the Samsung Galaxy S10 by placing her finger on the Qualcomm ultrasonic fingerprint scanner of the device. / Courtesy of Samsung Electronics

By Jun Ji-hye

Concerns are growing among smartphone manufacturers and consumers over Qualcomm's latest ultrasonic fingerprint scanners, after Samsung Electronics was hit by a security flaw connected to the fingerprint sensors on the Galaxy S10 and Note 10 series in October, according to industry officials Monday.

The technology uses ultrasonic waves from under the display to read a user's fingerprint, compared to conventional modules that use optical scanners.

Kwon Oh-hyung, president of Qualcomm Korea

The officials had previously raised doubts on the security of the U.S. firm's ultrasonic technology even before the 3D Sonic Sensor debuted in December last year as it exhibited a greater probability of errors.

"Samsung Electronics applied the ultrasonic fingerprint scanners to its new smartphones despite lingering security concerns," an official from a telecommunications company said on condition of anonymity. "The latest security issue involving the new technology could cause other smartphone manufacturers to hesitate to adopt it."

When debuting the Qualcomm 3D Sonic Sensor, the California-based semiconductor and telecommunications equipment firm promoted it as a top-notch reliable, secure and convenient system.

The Samsung Galaxy S10 and Note 10 series, launched this year, became the first smartphones in the world to use the 3D sonic sensor, but the new technology proved to be less secure and accurate than promised, with users complaining that the fingerprint reader allowed anyone to access their device if they used a screen protector.

Samsung has released a software update to address the latest complaints, but the incident might have already damaged the Korean tech giant's reputation in the financial and security industries as some banks had taken action to single out the firm's flagship devices as unsecure.

An official from a smartphone manufacturer in Seoul said security has become crucial in manufacturing smartphones as an increasing number of people use their smartphones as a tool to access bank services and other security-sensitive services.

"It has not been long since biometric sensors appeared on smartphones," the official said. "The latest security issue showed that the new technology has obvious limits."

He added that companies will have to be more cautious in designing software for the ultrasonic fingerprint scanners and offer consistent updates to ensure security.

A local analyst even cited the possibility that Samsung would abandon the ultrasonic technology for its future smartphones.

"If Samsung Electronics replaces the fingerprint sensors in question with traditional optical scanners, this would benefit domestic companies that offer optical scanners," Samsung Securities analyst Lee Jong-wook said.

The Korea Times tried to contact Qualcomm Korea officials but they were not available for comment.

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