Samsung Galaxy S10 security bug means any thumbprint can unlock it

Samsung security flaw means any thumbprint can unlock the S10
(Image credit: Future)

If you have a screen protector on your Galaxy S10, beware: Samsung is investigating reports that anyone's thumbprint can unlock the display through some protective plastic films.

The issue, first reported by The Sun, stems from a British couple who found that their S10, when wearing a £2.70 gel protector case bought on eBay, could be unlocked via the in-screen fingerprint scanner by several of their unregistered digits.

South Korea's KaKao Bank has gone as far as to advise its customers to deactivate the S10's fingerprint feature for its app until the issue was fixed.

The bug certainly has the potential to be disastrous for an owner who has had their S10 stolen. It's a shame, too, considering the biometric reader is among the most useful features of the latest Galaxy phones. We pray Samsung can resolve the matter quickly, but in the meantime S10 owners using screen protectors should test their scanner's security. Or, to be extra careful, just peel them off for now.

Becky Roberts
Freelance contributor

Becky is a hi-fi, AV and technology journalist, formerly the Managing Editor at What Hi-Fi? and Editor of Australian Hi-Fi and Audio Esoterica magazines. With over twelve years of journalism experience in the hi-fi industry, she has reviewed all manner of audio gear, from budget amplifiers to high-end speakers, and particularly specialises in headphones and head-fi devices.

In her spare time, Becky can often be found running, watching Liverpool FC and horror movies, and hunting for gluten-free cake.