Mobile carriers make app registration easier with Pass

Mobile app Pass allows for users to log in to websites or apps using a fingerprint, iris or six-digit pin code, instead of filling out a membership form. [KT]

Korea’s three mobile carriers introduced a service Wednesday where smartphone users will be able to log into apps and websites without registering for or joining each service.

The function is provided by the Pass mobile app, which is an identity verification service offered to users of all three mobile carriers - SK Telecom, KT and LG U+.

Even if a user does not join an app or website as a member, they will be able to log in by pressing the “phone number log in” button, which will automatically activate the Pass app.

From there, the user can simply have their identity verified using their fingerprint or iris or by inputting a six-digit password instead of going through the cumbersome process of filling in a registration form for every new online service.

The feature will only be allowed for apps and online services that are partnered with the Pass app or make use of Pass’s public API.

For such partners, making use of the Pass app allows them to access data on users and a platform where they could promote their services to a specific target, the carriers said.

In Korea, Naver, Google and Facebook offer a similar feature.

The carriers say Pass is powered by a complex security system that verifies the identity and device at the same time for every login attempt, hence lowering the possibility of hacking accounts. Aton, a local security company specializing in fintech, has partnered to provide this technology.

Pass is one of the few collaborations between the country’s three mobile carriers - an industry where marketing and competition is always fierce.

The three operated identity verification services for their respective customers but merged them into Pass in June 2018. Starting from 14 million users upon launch, the app is currently used by more than 28 million as of late February.

The auto login feature is new.

BY SONG KYOUNG-SON [song.kyoungson@joongang.co.kr]