MC953756 – (Updated) Microsoft Teams: Email OTP verification for external participants to join meetings

Product:

Entra, Microsoft 365 admin center, Teams

Platform:

Android, iOS, Mac, Online, Web, Windows Desktop, World tenant

Status:

Feature Rollout Status Not Supported

Change type:

Admin impact, New feature, Updated message

Links:

418125

Details:

Summary:
Microsoft Teams is introducing Email OTP verification for external participants to join meetings. A new policy will be available in Teams Admin Center, allowing admins to manage anonymous user access. This feature is for all organizations and will be rolled out from mid-January 2024 to early April 2025. Admins should update their meeting policy settings by mid-February to continue blocking unverified users if desired. The feature is linked to Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 418125.

Details:
Updated January 15, 2025: With the Email OTP verification meeting option rollout to Targeted Release for end users, Admins should note that the new meeting policy called Anonymous users can join a meeting after verifying will be available in Teams Admin Center for all organizations, even those in General Availability. For tenants where the Anonymous users can join meetings option is disabled in meeting policy and admins would like to continue to block all unverified (anonymous) users joining meetings, admins should update the new meeting policy setting Anonymous users can join a meeting after verifying from "By e-mail code" to "No" by mid-February. Without changing the default, this new feature introduces an additional way for unverified (anonymous) users to join meetings by e-mail code without needing an MSA or Entra account. Admins can reference documentation on managing the new meeting policy setting here: Manage anonymous participant access to Teams meetings, webinars, and town halls (IT admins) - Microsoft Teams | Microsoft Learn
The experience for attendees to verify their email with OTP prior to joining meetings is available only for meetings created by organizers that have a Teams premium license. However, the new meeting option to require verification will be available to all meeting organizers without Teams Premium license as well, for these meetings, attendees can join meeting after verifying with their TFL account or Entra account.
After this rollout, Microsoft Teams meeting organizers will have a new meeting option to enable and require unverified (aka anonymous) participants joining meetings to verify their email addresses with a one-time password (OTP) verification code before joining the meeting. Tenant admins will have a new meeting policy to manage and control this setting in the Teams admin center. This message applies to Teams on Windows desktop, Teams on Mac desktop, Teams on the web, and Teams for iOS/Android.
This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 418125.
[When this will happen:]
Targeted Release: We will begin rolling out mid-January 2024 and expect to complete by late January 2025.
General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out late March 2025 and expect to complete by early April 2025.

Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:
Standard Release

Created:
2024-12-11

updated:
2025-02-11

Task Type

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Docu to Check

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MS How does it affect me

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MS Preperations

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MS Urgency

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summary for non-techies**

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Direct effects for Operations**

Increased Risk of Unauthorized Access
Without proper preparation, the new email OTP verification feature may inadvertently allow unverified users to join meetings, increasing the risk of unauthorized access to sensitive discussions.
   - roles: IT Admin, Meeting Organizer
   - references: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoftteams/anonymous-users-in-meetings, https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=418125

User Confusion and Frustration
Participants may experience confusion if they are required to verify their email addresses unexpectedly, leading to frustration and potential delays in joining meetings.
   - roles: End User, Meeting Organizer
   - references: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoftteams/anonymous-users-in-meetings, https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=418125

Increased Administrative Overhead
Admins may face increased workload in managing the new meeting policies and addressing user issues related to the email OTP verification process if not properly communicated beforehand.
   - roles: IT Admin, Support Staff
   - references: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoftteams/anonymous-users-in-meetings, https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=418125

Configutation Options**

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Opportunities**

Enhanced Security for External Meetings
Implementing Email OTP verification for external participants will significantly improve security during meetings by ensuring that only verified individuals can join. This will help reduce unauthorized access and potential disruptions caused by anonymous participants.
   - next-steps: Update the meeting policy settings in the Teams Admin Center to require email verification for external participants. Communicate this policy change to all meeting organizers to ensure compliance.
   - roles: IT Administrators, Meeting Organizers, Security Officers
   - references: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoftteams/anonymous-users-in-meetings, https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=418125

Improved User Experience for Meeting Participants
By allowing external participants to join meetings through a simple email OTP verification process, the user experience will be enhanced. This eliminates the need for external participants to create a Microsoft account, making it easier for them to join meetings seamlessly.
   - next-steps: Educate users on how to use the new verification method and provide support resources to assist them during the transition. Monitor feedback to address any issues that arise.
   - roles: Meeting Organizers, End Users, Customer Support Teams
   - references: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoftteams/anonymous-users-in-meetings, https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=418125

Streamlined Meeting Management for Admins
The new policy settings for managing anonymous user access will provide IT administrators with better control over who can join meetings. This will help streamline meeting management and reduce the administrative burden associated with managing external participants.
   - next-steps: Review and adjust existing meeting policies in the Teams Admin Center to align with the new features. Schedule training sessions for IT staff to familiarize them with the new controls.
   - roles: IT Administrators, Compliance Officers, Team Leaders
   - references: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoftteams/anonymous-users-in-meetings, https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=418125

Potentional Risks**

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IT Security**

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explanation for non-techies**

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