Picture for illustrative purposes only. ARCHIVE

Starting Friday (July 25), UAE banks will no longer send one-time passwords (OTPs) via SMS or email for any type of financial or electronic transaction, including both domestic and international transfers. The move comes in line with new directives issued by the UAE Central Bank to bolster the country's digital banking security infrastructure. Instead of SMS or email, customers will be required to authenticate their transactions using their bank’s mobile application through a feature called Authentication via App. An official circular from the Central Bank states: “In accordance with the directives issued by the UAE Central Bank, the practice of receiving OTPs via SMSs or email will gradually be phased out.” According to the Central Bank, OTPs via SMS or email must be fully discontinued by March 2026. The initiative is aimed at enhancing data protection and minimizing the risk of fraud associated with traditional OTP delivery channels. Users are advised to ensure that they have the latest version of their bank’s mobile app installed and that app notifications are enabled. Customers who have not yet activated their mobile banking app or app-based authentication are urged to do so immediately to avoid disruption in service. This shift marks another step in the UAE’s ongoing efforts to build a digitally secure and advanced banking ecosystem. ICA/Expat Media
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