Verification news
What changed in how apps check phone numbers, send codes and protect accounts, with the source for every story.
Discord Starts Global Age Assurance for All Accounts
On September 22, 2026, Discord began a global rollout that places every account in an adult, teen or unconfirmed group based mainly on account signals. Discord says more than 90% of users won't be asked to confirm their age manually.
Read →August 25, 2026WhatsApp Adds Multiple Passkeys, Replaces 2FA PIN
On August 25, 2026, WhatsApp said over a billion people now sign in with passkeys, let accounts add more than one passkey, and replaced the six-digit two-step verification PIN with a longer password. None of it is applied automatically.
Read →August 1, 2026Microsoft Is Phasing Out SMS Codes for Personal Accounts
In August 2026, Microsoft said it will start phasing out SMS as a sign-in and recovery method for personal Microsoft accounts, pushing passkeys, verified email and Apple or Google sign-in instead. It has not published a final cutoff date for consumers.
Read →July 27, 2026UK SIM Farm Ban: Offences Apply From October 29, 2026
The UK's Crime and Policing Act 2026, which received Royal Assent on April 29, 2026, creates offences for possessing or supplying SIM farms without good reason. Home Office guidance published July 27, 2026 says penalties apply from October 29, 2026.
Read →July 15, 2026Ofcom Finalizes Rules to Block UK Scam Texts
On July 15, 2026, Ofcom finalized rules requiring UK mobile operators to block scam numbers and messages and limit how many texts pay-as-you-go SIMs can send, plus checks on business senders and sender IDs. They take effect in January and July 2027.
Read →April 2, 2026India Extends SIM-Binding Deadline for Messaging Apps
India ordered messaging apps in November 2025 to stay linked to the active SIM in the device. In April 2026, PTI reported that the compliance deadline was extended to December 31 and that the six-hour web logout rule was dropped.
Read →December 12, 2025Telegram Adds Passkeys as an Alternative to SMS Codes
On December 12, 2025, Telegram added passkeys so users can log in with Face ID, a fingerprint or a PIN instead of an SMS code. A phone number is still required to create an account.
Read →October 24, 2025X Required Security Key Re-Enrollment by Nov. 10, 2025
On October 24, 2025, X Safety told users who use a security key or passkey for two-factor authentication to re-enroll it by November 10, 2025, because of the move from twitter.com to x.com. Accounts that didn't would be locked until they re-enrolled or switched methods.
Read →June 18, 2025Facebook and Messenger Roll Out Passkey Sign-In
Meta announced passkeys for Facebook on mobile on June 18, 2025, and began rolling them out to Messenger on September 23, 2025. Passwords and other methods remain available.
Read →February 1, 2025Gmail Moves Away From SMS Codes Toward QR Codes
In February 2025, a Gmail spokesperson told Forbes that Google would move away from SMS verification codes, citing global SMS abuse, and replace them with QR codes scanned by your phone. Google described the rollout as gradual.
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