Observed Signal · Jul 27, 2026 · Policy Update · Source: https://www.blogger.com/feeds/7815614485808579332/posts/default?category=google_ads_api&orderby=published · Impact: 4/5 · Sentiment: Neutral
Google Ads API to Require Passkey Authentication
Google announced that starting August 5, 2026, the Google Ads API will mandate passkey-based authentication for all user authentication workflows when generating new OAuth 2.0 refresh tokens. Password-only and traditional two-factor authentication methods (TOTP, SMS codes) will be disallowed. Existing refresh tokens remain unaffected, and service account workflows are exempt. New passkeys may incur a 7-day security delay before becoming fully operational. Other Google platforms using the Google Ads API, such as Google Ads Editor, Google Ads scripts, BigQuery Data Transfer Service, and Data Studio, will also require passkey authentication. Developers are advised to create passkeys in advance to avoid disruption.
Google mandates passkey-only authentication for Google Ads API, forcing developers, agencies, and advertisers to update their authentication flows and potentially disrupting automated ad management integrations.
Track Google Signals & Market Shifts in Real-Time
Polaris7 autonomous intelligence agents track regulatory filings, primary sources, executive changes, and deal flow 24/7. Create your free Explorer workspace to monitor these entities.
Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Google Ads API will require passkeys for new OAuth 2.0 refresh tokens starting August 5, 2026.
- Password-only and 2FA methods (TOTP, SMS) will no longer be allowed for user authentication.
- Existing OAuth refresh tokens are not affected and continue to work.
- Service account workflows are unaffected by this change.
- New passkeys may be subject to a 7-day security delay.
Connected Companies & Entities
2 Entities mapped“Google Ads API to require passkeys for authentication, affecting Google Ads Editor, scripts, BigQuery Data Transfer, and Data Studio....”
Related Market Signals & Shifts
Recent verified developments and strategic activity across this market segment.
Yapily CEO Prefers Sidelines amid Open Banking Consolidation
Yapily, a UK-based open banking infrastructure startup backed by Lakestar, reported improved financials for 2025, with turnover rising from £6.7m to £16.7m and a swing from a £16.2m loss to a £355,000 profit. CEO Stefano Vaccino attributes growth to a lean operation and increased revenue from existing customers including Revolut, Intuit, Adyen, and Google. The company, profitable since 2025, last raised a $51m Series B in 2021 led by Sapphire Ventures. Amid expected consolidation in the open banking sector, Vaccino stated a preference to remain on the sidelines and focus on organic growth. He highlighted upcoming catalysts such as Commercial Variable Recurring Payments (CVRPs) and the EU's Financial Data Access (FiDA) framework, while noting recent acquisitions like Paypoint's purchase of obconnect and TrueLayer's acquisitions of in3 and Zimpler.
SPUR launches AI content tracking standard, invites OpenAI, Google to board
A coalition of media organizations including the Guardian, Financial Times, BBC, Sky, and the AP has released a new standard for tracking how AI tools use publishers' content. The Standards for Publisher Usage Rights (SPUR) initiative published its content telemetry standard on October 2, 2026. The standard creates a process to track and report when content is retrieved, grounded, cited, presented, and engaged with by AI tools, and report usage back to publishers. SPUR has invited OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Meta, and Microsoft to join its new AI Licensing Advisory Board to help shape implementation. The board aims to ensure tracking rules work for both publishers and AI companies. SPUR is also developing agent tooling for AI companies to adopt the standard, supporting transparent reporting and licensing. Pilot programs with tech and AI companies are planned.
Armadin raises $255.5M for agentic security
Kevin Mandia, founder of Mandiant (sold to Google for $5.4B in 2022), has raised $255.5 million in Series B funding for his new startup, Armadin, at a valuation exceeding $2.5 billion. The round was led by Andreessen Horowitz and Accel, with participation from Bain Capital Ventures, Redpoint, 8VC, Ballistic Ventures, Google Ventures, In-Q-Tel, Kleiner Perkins, and Menlo Ventures. This follows a $190 million Series A in March, bringing total funding to over $445 million. Armadin offers an always-on security testing platform that uses agentic swarms to continuously probe defenses and chain vulnerabilities, helping enterprises find and fix security holes before malicious actors can exploit them. The approach reimagines traditional penetration testing for the AI era.
Track Real-Time Market Signals & Shifts
Set up custom watchlists to receive automated, evidence-grounded executive digests whenever material signals or shifts occur across your tracked landscape.