On World Password Day- now rebranded as World Passkey Day – organisations worldwide are accelerating their shift from traditional passwords to the more secure and user-friendly passkey technology. This move comes as new research underscores both consumer frustration with passwords and growing trust in brands that adopt passkeys.
The FIDO Alliance, which champions ‘passwordless’ authentication, released a global study marking World Passkey Day 2025. The findings reveal a seismic shift: 74% of consumers are now aware of passkeys, and nearly 70% have enabled them on at least one account. Among those familiar with the technology, 54% find passkeys more convenient and 53% believe they offer greater security than passwords.
The push away from passwords is driven by persistent risks and inconvenience. Over the past year, 35% of people experienced at least one account compromise due to password vulnerabilities, and nearly half (47%) abandoned online purchases after forgetting a password.
Andrew Shikiar, Executive Director and CEO of the FIDO Alliance, commented:
“The establishment and growth of World Passkey Day reflects the fact that organisations of all shapes and sizes are taking action upon the imperative to move away from relying on passwords and other legacy authentication methods that have led to decades of data breaches, account takeovers and user frustration, which imperil the very foundations of our connected society.”
The 2026 Thales Digital Trust Index further highlights the trust dividend for brands embracing passkeys. According to the report, 48% of surveyed consumers say they would trust a brand more if it used passkeys instead of passwords-a figure that rises to 56% among 25-34-year-olds. Additionally, three-quarters of respondents value a passwordless login experience, signalling a fundamental shift in consumer expectations
Simon McNally, Cybersecurity Expert at Thales, explained:
“Passwords have long been a weak link in digital security, forcing consumers and businesses into a frustrating cycle of password resets and potential breaches. Passkeys provide a seamless and secure authentication experience, eliminating the risks and frustrations associated with traditional passwords. Passkeys are automatically generated and securely stored, removing the burden of creating and managing complex passwords. They also enhance privacy by allowing authentication without sharing sensitive data, reducing the risk of breaches.”
Passkey vs. Password: What’s the Difference?
| Feature | Passwords | Passkeys |
|---|---|---|
| Creation | User-created (must be remembered) | System-generated (unique cryptographic keys) |
| Storage | Typically on servers/databases | Private key on device; public key on server |
| Security | Vulnerable to phishing and reuse | Phishing-resistant; unique per account |
| User Experience | Forgotten easily; frequent resets needed | No need to remember; seamless, biometric logins |
| Risk if Compromised | Often grants access to multiple accounts | Only affects one account; cannot be reused |
Passkeys use public key cryptography, with a private key stored securely on a user’s device and a public key on the service provider’s server. Authentication typically involves a biometric check (like a fingerprint or facial recognition), making it much harder for hackers to gain illicit access.
Scottish Success: Turning Point Scotland goes Passwordless
Scotland is also seeing pioneering adoption. Turning Point Scotland, a leading social care provider, has partnered with My1Login to transition its workforce to a passwordless environment. By leveraging My1Login’s Identity and Access Management solution, the organisation aims to protect against data breaches and phishing while simplifying user access.
Michelle Ronald, ICT Manager at Turning Point Scotland, said:
“This is about protecting Turning Point Scotland from the risk of a data breach whilst enabling our end-users to have a much-improved experience in accessing their applications. The threat of a password-related data breach is very real, and we need to leverage leading edge solutions to mitigate the risk… Our end-users will benefit from a simplified user experience, they will no longer have to manage passwords, and can benefit from a passwordless experience with My1Login.”
With nearly half of the world’s top 100 websites now supporting passkeys, and major brands like Google, Apple, and Amazon on board, the password’s days appear numbered. As organisations and consumers alike embrace passkeys, World Passkey Day marks not just a change in calendar, but a transformation in digital trust and security.
