Here are the TADSummit and TADHack 2025 plans, so you know the big picture.

This post lists the agenda, and links to recorded sessions (there are none yet as we’re launching the online conference in mid-March).

Google rejects SMS OTP for QR Codes? I understand the SMS bit, but QR codes?

10AM ET, Wednesday March 12th

Aaron Birnbaum, Bohdan Hopanchuck, Noah Rafalko

• Why has SMS OTP hung around for so long, given its depreciation by NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) in 2016?
• The latest NIST update on Digital Identity Guidelines includes: relaxation of password complexity, continuous authentication, biometric authentication, and lifecycle management.
• Now Google shares plans it will drop SMS OTP for QR codes to reduce the impact of “rampant, global SMS abuse”. Yep, AIT (Artificially Inflated Traffic) and inflated international A2P charges.
• QR Codes?!? The Verge article claims, “Once the change has been implemented, instead of verifying phone numbers by sending a six-digit code, a QR code will be presented that users can scan using the camera app on their smartphones. It will eliminate the risk of users being tricked into sharing codes since they no longer exist, and it takes security risks introduced by phone carriers, including unwanted SIM swapping, out of the equation entirely.”
• BUT QR fraud is real and growing fast. We’ll review the state of play in QR fraud. And whether you too should copy Google’s lead into QR codes, away from SMS. Given the current lack of details, a rumor is it’s something to do with RCS, we’ll make some WAGs (Wild-Ass Guesses) as well as informed deduction based on market experience.

From the Trenches, RCS / RBM (Rich Business Messaging)

10AM ET, Wednesday March 19th

Michael Lamb, nativeMsg

Michael is new to TADS, so a little background. He has 20+ years in mobile messaging, Michael has co-founded and led two companies, driving innovation (multiple RCS Business Messaging patents).

As President and Co-founder of nativeMsg, his focus is revolutionizing communication through seamless, personalized messaging interfaces.

His solutions simplify the creation, hosting, and connectivity required to enable RBM globally. Whether you want to extend your e-commerce store or integrate your existing AI into this new channel, nativeMsg have the no-code and API solution to make it easy.

He’s passionate about advancing business messaging. Striving to make it more accessible, convenient, and engaging, shaping the future of digital interaction.

Bottom-line: Michael is working in the trenches, not the marketing department, so is perfect for TADS.

• RCS on the Global Stage: The Current Landscape. A snapshot of how RCS is being adopted worldwide—who’s leading the charge.
• Burying the MMS vs. RCS Debate (Once and for All). RCS is light-years ahead of MMS. But for those who still need convincing, we’ll briefly cover why it’s the clear winner.
• The Many Faces of RCS Communication. A deep dive into the different types of RCS interactions—how businesses are using rich, interactive messaging to engage customers.
• Global Deployments & Lessons Learned. Real-world insights from successful RCS rollouts worldwide. Being an honest advisor earns trust.
• Show, Don’t Tell: Live Demos of What’s Possible. Experience how companies can use RCS to engage, convert, and delight customers.
• IP Messaging Success: The Do’s and Don’ts
• A roadmap for success in IP messaging—best practices to embrace, pitfalls to avoid, and how to make the most of RCS.

Augnet is ALIVE!

10AM ET, Wednesday March 26th

Daniel Gill, SVP Corporate Strategy at AOT – All in one Telecom!

You’ll learn more about what’s happened to Augnet through Mobile World Congress. Their new home no longer needs adoption from the CPaaS industry, rather a category that will shake up the channel centric CPaaS segment, that importantly has full customer knowledge.

Daniel has just updated his linked in to SVP Corporate Strategy at AOT – All in one Telecom.

If you want to be part of the live audience just add a comment or sent me a message and I’ll send you the URL for live audience.