Secure, Seamless, and User-Centric

Abstracts

<300 characters:
Getting users signed in and active quickly is critical to adoption, but traditional auth flows often come with friction. This talk examines invisible authentication strategies - such as FIDO, passkeys, OTPs, and device fingerprinting that reduce churn while ensuring user safety and compliance with data protection laws.

<600 characters:
The modern product playbook depends on getting users in, signed up, and active fast. But clunky authentication flows often cause drop-off and churn. Invisible authentication - using FIDO, passkeys, OTPs via WhatsApp/Telegram, and device fingerprinting - offers a better path.
In this talk, we’ll explore how to design seamless identity flows that respect data protection laws, match user mental models, and keep security uncompromised. You’ll learn how to balance business goals with user trust, and why onboarding design is one of the strongest levers for retention.

Description

User adoption begins at the front door: sign-up and sign-in. The tension between security and simplicity is one of the hardest design problems in modern product development.
While traditional authentication methods can feel secure, they add friction - leading to churn before a user even engages with the product. Modern strategies, from FIDO and passkeys to OTP via reliable channels like WhatsApp and Telegram, to device fingerprinting, are reshaping the way we think about identity.
Invisible authentication and profile setup experiences ensure that users can start engaging with your product immediately without feeling burdened or unsafe. But designing them requires a careful balance: protecting user data, aligning with compliance laws, and respecting existing user mental models.
This talk will explore frameworks, examples, and best practices for building invisible auth experiences that reduce churn, build trust, and improve long-term retention.

Outline
- The problem: why authentication is a bottleneck for adoption
- Traditional auth flows vs. invisible auth experiences
- Overview of modern approaches: FIDO, passkeys, OTP, device fingerprinting
- Balancing UX with compliance (data protection, consent)
- Designing for user mental models and trust
- Case examples: invisible flows done right
- Closing: onboarding as the foundation of retention

Key Takeaways
- Authentication is part of product design, not just security
- Invisible auth flows reduce churn and improve adoption
- Modern methods (FIDO, passkeys, OTP via reliable channels) balance UX with safety
- Profile setup should feel natural, not burdensome
Onboarding is the strongest retention lever you control