I'm surprised this hasn't come to light earlier... it's just another way of duplicating keys on the sly, which has been around for ages. I guess the legit purpose of this technique would be to eliminate some of the (error-prone) mechanical aspects of duping keys.
Seems worrisome, until you consider that most of the time, locks are for "keeping honest people out."
If someone really wants to get into your house or car, they will not bother with the lock, or even the door (I've had home and car both broken into more than once, and locks were never opened- easiest thing is to just smash a window), and if they do, they will pick the lock, or perhaps just drill the cylinder out, not go through the trouble of obtaining or copying a key.
How do you think locksmiths regain access for people who've lost their keys?

I also went thru a period as a carpenter where I did a number of break-in repairs on very good doors with very good locks- generally they are no match for bold thieves with a sledgehammer and/or heavy prybar. I've even seen them go through walls next to doors to unlock the door from the inside.