Alternatively, the US service has kiosks that let you copy keys in an emergency, or share photos with a locksmith in person.

 

KeyMe is free on iOS but is currently only available in the US. The New York-based startup is looking to expand the service, and an Android version of the app is in development.

 

After setting up an account, homeowners use their smartphone camera to take a photo of each side of the key.

 

The photo must be taken on a white background, from a distance of up to 4 inches (10cm), in order to avoid what the app calls 'fly-by' scans. 

 

This doesn't, in theory, protect people from criminals taking photos of other people's keys though.

 

However, KeyMe does notify users whenever there is activity on their account, but this only applies if a potential thief is using that person's account.

 

It is unknown whether KeyMe can recognize if the same key is scanned and added to a different account.

 

As an extra security measure, however, the app requires user verification, a credit card, a verified mailing address and an Apple-verified device and ID to purchase a key.

 

Michael Harbolt, vice¹ president of marketing² at KeyMe told MailOnline that if a thief, hypothetically, did want to steal a key and order a new one using the app, they 'would then have to use an Apple registered device, Apple ID and wireless³ carrier to download the app and provide user verification to access the app. 

 

'[They] would then have to provide a valid⁴ credit card to purchase these keys and a mailing address. All of the data provided during this exchange could be used to easily identify [them].'

 

As an alternative, Mr Harbolt explained that a thief could 'simply walk down to a local locksmith and get a copy made by paying cash' without providing any method of identification. 

 

'Given a choice of the these two options - one where you can easily be identified, and one where there is no risk of being identified - as a criminal, which option are you more likely to pursue when attempting to commit a crime?,' continued Mr Harbolt. 

 

In terms of protecting the keys stored in the cloud, the company said: 'We use commercial grade security to protect your key data.

 

'Additionally, we do not store any personally identifiable information except for an email address and password.'

 

But, these security concerns only apply to ordering keys in the post. 

 

If a key is ordered from a locksmith in person, the user can verify their identity by having the phone, app and another form of physical ID.

 

Equally, the app asks for a fingerprint⁵ to be used when printing a key from a physical kiosk.

点击收听单词发音