Philippine digital wallet GCash has officially transitioned to using in-app OTPs to replace traditional SMS verification today, as reported by Walastech and Gizguide.

This transition aims to improve account security by keeping the entire authentication process within the mobile application interface.

The new system prevents fraudsters from intercepting verification codes through network vulnerabilities or text message phishing scams.

Customers must now rely on secure in-app OTPs generated by GCash and delivered via push notifications to authorise money transfers and account logins.

The company advised users to ensure their device notifications remain enabled to prevent any disruption to their daily account activities.

Moving away from text messages aligns with a Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas directive requiring platforms to phase out SMS codes.

This regulatory push falls under the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act to secure digital financial services against rising cybercrime.

“We will shift users to instant, GCash app-verified authentication, to increase the security of their daily transactions,” said Miguel Geronilla, Chief Information Security Officer, GCash.

Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Philippines based on an image by 21vectors via Magnific.