UAE Banks Phasing Out SMS and Email OTPs: Embracing Integrated Authentication
The banking landscape in the United Arab Emirates is undergoing a significant transformation. Starting July 25, 2025, banks in the UAE will discontinue sending one-time authentication codes (OTPs) via SMS and email for online banking transactions. This crucial shift, directed by the Central Bank of the UAE, represents a key step in modernizing digital banking services and boosting security for users.
Strengthening Security with In-App Authentication
This move prioritizes enhancing the security of financial operations. Traditional authentication methods, especially SMS, have become susceptible to various fraud techniques. These include SIM swapping, phishing scams, and vulnerabilities within messaging protocols, all of which threaten customer data and financial assets. To counter these risks, banks are actively migrating towards integrated authentication systems within their mobile applications. This aligns with the increasing adoption of mobile banking across Africa, where similar strategies are being explored to protect users from digital fraud.
The change will require customers to approve payments directly within their bank’s mobile application. This typically involves receiving a push notification, followed by authentication via biometrics such as fingerprint scanning or facial recognition. This enhanced process offers increased security compared to SMS and email-based OTPs, reducing the risk of unauthorized access and financial loss.
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