Ask HN: Physically block mobile phone fingerprint scanner?

1 point

8 years ago

The home button on some samsung phones contains a fingerprint scanner. Is it possible to somehow physically block the fingerprint scanner sensor from capturing fingerprints? (e.g. cover it with tape, nail polish or something else?)

Only found these but with no definitive answer:

https://security.stackexchange.com/questions/171494/is-it-possible-to-disable-the-fingerprint-scanner-but-not-the-button-its-on

https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/Moto-G5-Moto-G5-Plus/I-don-t-like-fingerprint-sensors-is-it-possible-to-disable-it-by/td-p/3729524

Seems strange there isn't much discussion around this, given the uniqueness and sensitivity of biometrical data and the blatant disregard companies pay to its protection (industry standard is to view user data as an asset not a liability - and regulator bodies aren't doing much about that either).

[edit]: Added final sentence