Use your fingerprint to unlock your phone? You just gave up some rights

Questions over the 5th Amendment are raised when judges can order you to unlock a device with your print -- but you can't be forced to give up your password. Also, Sony may have its own legal trouble with a video-recording contact lens, and celebrities at the Met Gala attempt to bring tech to fashion.

Bridget Carey Principal Video Producer

Bridget Carey is an award-winning reporter who helps you level-up your life -- while having a good time geeking out. Her exclusive CNET videos get you behind the scenes as she covers new trends, experiences and quirky gadgets. Her weekly video show, "One More Thing," explores what's new in the world of Apple and what's to come. She started as a reporter at The Miami Herald with syndicated newspaper columns for product reviews and social media advice. Now she's a mom who also stays on top of toy industry trends and robots. (Kids love robots.)

Expertise Consumer technology, Apple, Google, Samsung, Microsoft, Amazon, Meta, social media, mobile, robots, future tech, immersive technology, toys, culture Credentials

Bridget has spent over 18 years as a consumer tech reporter, hosting daily tech news shows and writing syndicated newspaper columns. She's often a guest on national radio and television stations, including ABC, CBS, CNBC and NBC.

See full bio

Bridget Carey

May 3, 2016 12:03 p.m. PT

Using a fingerprint to unlock a phone makes it easier for authorities to search your device.

When you hear, "You have the right to remain silent," that's a right powered by the 5th Amendment, protecting US citizens from incriminating themselves in a court of law. Because of it, citizens can't be forced to tell police the password to access their email or their phone. But biometric passwords -- like fingerprints -- are a loophole for authorities. CNET Update explains:

Watch this: Use your fingerprint to unlock your phone? You just gave up some rights

02:37

Also in this roundup, learn about Sony's latest project that could become its own legal mess: contact lenses that record what you see. Meanwhile, in other tech you can wear, IBM created a gown for the Met Gala that responded to social media comments. But not all celebrities hit the tech theme target for this costume event.

CNET Update delivers the tech news you need in under 3 minutes. Watch Bridget Carey every afternoon for a breakdown of the big stories, hot devices, new apps and what's ahead. Subscribe to the podcast via the links below.

Use your fingerprint to unlock your phone? You just gave up some rights

Podcast