Skip to main content

Some UK banks blacklist the Galaxy S10 over fingerprint scanner concerns

After reports that the Samsung Galaxy S10’s fingerprint scanner can be fooled by cheap third-party screens protectors, some UK banks are now blacklisting the phone in a bid to protect their customers.

Initially spotted by users on the /r/GalaxyS10 subreddit, NatWest customers in the UK have been unable to download the dedicated banking app from the Google Play Store in recent days following the originally reported issues (via PiunikaWeb).

Primarily a building society (similar to credit union), Nationwide has also disabled the fingerprint authentication for access and payments within their own banking apps on the Galaxy S10.

A NatWest employee confirmed that the banking app has been removed from the Play Store for Galaxy S10 owners until the security concerns are addressed by Samsung. This might be a bigger issue if you rely on your internet banking on a daily basis. Other banks are suggesting that customers remove their fingerprints from devices just for the foreseeable future.

It’s unclear if US banks will block the Galaxy S10 in the coming days in response to the potential fingerprint security concerns. Samsung confirmed that it would be working to resolve the issue and fix the problem via a patch very soon.

The S10 has had numerous issues with the new Ultrasonic fingerprint since launch but it’s unclear just how widespread the issue even is. While we can’t replicate the problem, we advise that you do take precautions should other people have access to your phone.

Samsung confirmed that any device with the new scanner is potentially vulnerable. That includes the Galaxy S10, S10+, S10 5G, Note 10, Note 10+, and Note 10 5G. Are you still able to access your banking apps on your Samsung Galaxy S10? Let us know down in the comments section below.

More on Samsung:

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

You’re reading 9to5Google — experts who break news about Google and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Google on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Check out 9to5Google on YouTube for more news:

Comments

Author

Avatar for Damien Wilde Damien Wilde

Damien is a UK-based video producer for 9to5Google. Find him on Twitter: @iamdamienwilde. Email: damien@9to5mac.com