Google Ditches SMS in Favor of QR Codes for Secure Gmail Account Creation

Google is planning to replace SMS-based verification with QR codes when creating new Gmail accounts. This move aims to enhance security by reducing the threat of phishing and making it more difficult for malicious actors to create spam or malware accounts. Users will scan a QR code displayed during account creation using their phone's camera app, streamlining the process and improving overall security. The company notes that this change will roll out over the next few months and does not remove SMS as an option for two-factor authentication (2FA) alongside other methods like Google Prompt.