Mountain View, CA, February 24, 2025 – In a move to bolster account security and curb global SMS abuse, Google is set to phase out its SMS-based two-factor authentication (2FA) option for Gmail users, according to a report by Forbes.
For years, Gmail users have been able to verify their identities by receiving a text message containing a code. However, inherent vulnerabilities in SMS—such as SIM swapping and interception - have prompted Google to seek more secure alternatives.
“The goal is to reduce the impact of rampant, global SMS abuse,” said Ross Richendrfer, a Gmail spokesperson, as quoted by Forbes. Under the new system, users will see a QR code on their screen that must be scanned with their smartphone to complete the authentication process.
The switch to QR code verification means that while users will still need to rely on their smartphones, they will no longer be subject to the security risks associated with SMS messages. Criminals have exploited SMS verification in various ways, including convincing carriers to port numbers to new devices or generating revenue through “traffic pumping” schemes.
This strategic shift is part of a broader industry trend toward stronger authentication methods. While Google, along with other tech companies, ultimately envisions a future where passkeys and passwordless systems become the norm, the transition is expected to be gradual. In the meantime, enhancing the security of existing processes remains a priority.
Google has not yet announced a specific timeline for ending SMS-based 2FA, but the update is anticipated to roll out over the coming months. The company’s decision underscores the need for constant innovation in cybersecurity as cyber threats continue to evolve.
By replacing SMS with QR code-based authentication, Google aims to offer a more secure and robust verification method while maintaining user convenience—a key factor as companies worldwide work to protect personal data in an increasingly digital age.
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Google is expected to face charges from the European Commission for breaching rules designed to rein in the power of Big Tech, according to sources with direct knowledge of the matter.
n 2024, Russian courts imposed fines on Google LLC four times, totaling 15.1 million rubles ($172,300), according to the press service of the Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology, and Mass Media (Roskomnadzor).
Google on Wednesday rolled out an update for iOS that lets users search what’s on their screen with a simple gesture. The new feature, available in both the Google Chrome and Google Search apps, is similar to Android’s built-in “Circle to Search” function.
London, February 19, 2025 – Google has developed an advanced AI tool designed to serve as a virtual collaborator for biomedical researchers, the tech giant announced on Wednesday.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday that Russia is not opposed to Europe’s involvement in U.S.-Russia peace talks on Ukraine but noted that Brussels had long refused dialogue with Moscow.
A federal judge denied the Associated Press' request to restore full White House access after President Donald Trump's administration barred its reporters for continuing to refer to the Gulf of Mexico by its original name.
Dozens of Venezuelan migrants boarded small boats from Gardi Sugdub island in Panama on Monday, setting off on a reverse journey toward Colombia, giving up on reaching the United States.
President Donald Trump suggested on Monday that tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods could move forward next week, citing that the U.S. has been mistreated by its trading partners.
Beijing/Mars, February 24, 2025 – Ground-penetrating radar data from China’s Zhurong rover has revealed what appear to be sandy beach deposits buried beneath Mars’ surface, lending strong support to the theory that a vast ocean once stretched across the planet’s northern plains.
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Berlin, February 21, 2025 – German citizens will head to the polls on Sunday, February 23, for a snap general election after the coalition government collapsed late last year.
San Francisco, CA, February 24, 2025 – Anthropic has launched Claude 3.7 Sonnet, a new frontier AI model that offers users unprecedented control over its reasoning process.
Hawthorne, CA, February 24, 2025 – SpaceX announced Monday that last month’s catastrophic Starship explosion was the result of a cascading series of events triggered by propellant leaks.
Geneva, February 24, 2025 – A new analysis by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the World Health Organization’s (WHO) cancer agency, forecasts a significant rise in both breast cancer diagnoses and deaths worldwide by 2050.
Shanghai, February 24, 2025 – Tesla Inc. is preparing a software update for its Chinese customers that will enable advanced driving-assistance features similar to its full self-driving (FSD) capabilities available in the United States.
Cupertino, CA, February 24, 2025 – Apple Inc. announced on Monday plans to add 20,000 new US jobs and produce AI servers domestically as part of a $500 billion investment over the next four years.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday that Russia is not opposed to Europe’s involvement in U.S.-Russia peace talks on Ukraine but noted that Brussels had long refused dialogue with Moscow.
A federal judge denied the Associated Press' request to restore full White House access after President Donald Trump's administration barred its reporters for continuing to refer to the Gulf of Mexico by its original name.
Dozens of Venezuelan migrants boarded small boats from Gardi Sugdub island in Panama on Monday, setting off on a reverse journey toward Colombia, giving up on reaching the United States.
President Donald Trump suggested on Monday that tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods could move forward next week, citing that the U.S. has been mistreated by its trading partners.
Beijing/Mars, February 24, 2025 – Ground-penetrating radar data from China’s Zhurong rover has revealed what appear to be sandy beach deposits buried beneath Mars’ surface, lending strong support to the theory that a vast ocean once stretched across the planet’s northern plains.
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