I was asking myself the same question: Why do we even need this? Why is it being discussed? The answer is that Google is trying to leverage a heavily used tool—SMS—as a key component of security and identity verification. I’m talking about banks and government entities globally. Encouraging people to rely on it will reinforce real identity and, naturally, provide control to those we all know are eager to seize it. Google’s strategy here is similar to what they did with Gmail: taking control of a key pillar of identity.