How secure are smartphone fingerprint readers?

NatWest and RBS customers with Apple iPhones can now use fingerprints to access bank accounts

New iPhone 5S handsets let people use their fingerprints to unlock the smartphones at an iPhone event at Apple's headquarters in Silicon Valley on September 10, 2013 in Cupertino, California.
(Image credit: 2013 AFP)

NatWest and the Royal Bank of Scotland are allowing customers to access their bank accounts online using fingerprint recognition rather than a password.

From tomorrow, customers with an iPhone 5s, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus will be able to access their bank account online using Apple's Touch ID fingerprint sensor.

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