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Microsoft Ends Password Management in Authenticator App, Pushes Passwordless Security on World Passkey Day Amid 1.8B Gmail User Breach

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Updated May 7, 2025, 04:20 AM

Microsoft has announced the end of password management in its Authenticator app, marking a decisive shift towards a passwordless future. This move is part of a broader industry trend embracing passkeys as the default method of authentication, aimed at enhancing digital security and reducing reliance on traditional passwords. The company highlighted this transition during the first-ever World Passkey Day, aligning with the FIDO Alliance's Passkey Pledge, which includes several major tech leaders. The decision follows alarming cybersecurity statistics, including a recent study revealing that 94% of 19 billion leaked passwords were reused or copied, exposing users to widespread vulnerabilities.

Microsoft is urging millions of Windows and Xbox users to delete their stored passwords as part of this new security protocol. The shift also responds to ongoing threats such as a massive data breach affecting 1.8 billion Gmail users, who have been warned to take immediate action within seven days. Industry experts note that while the passwordless approach offers improved security, it also presents challenges that users and organizations must navigate. Alongside Microsoft, other companies like RSA are introducing innovations to protect passwordless environments and combat help desk scams. The move underscores the increasing importance of advanced security measures in the evolving digital landscape.

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