Samsung forces two-step verification for all account users

Samsung makes two-step verification mandatory on all online accounts. This probably happens after a recent data breach in which a number of users were able to see information from others. Users who log in again must make the feature mandatory. Initially this has to be done via text message.

Samsung makes the setting mandatory for all new and existing users worldwide, writes SamMobile. Users who log into their account will see a message asking them to enable the feature. Registration must be done via SMS. So users have to give their phone number to Samsung first. After that it is possible to set up an authentication app. The company does not log out users by default, but gives them the option on the next login attempt.

The company has not given an official reason for the action. It may be related to a recent incident where some Samsung users could see other users’ data in their account. Initially, it was speculated that it had to do with a mysterious push notification that all Galaxy phone owners received a week before. However, the two events do not appear to be linked.

Update: clarified that SMS is only required in the beginning, but authentication apps can be used after that.