Abstract: During operation, an electronic device may receive, from a second electronic device, information that specifies or that corresponds to one or more distortions, where the one or more distortions are associated with measurements of a physical parameter that are performed by a sensor in the second electronic device. Then, the electronic device may determine, based at least in part on the information, the one or more distortions. Moreover, the electronic device may compare the determined one or more distortions with historical values of the one or more distortions. Note that the historical values of the one or more distortions may be specified by or may correspond to historical information that is received from one or more third electronic devices. Next, based at least in part on the comparison, the electronic device may selectively authenticate an individual associated with the second electronic device.