2-step verification on Gmail

Question

I recently heard from my friend that Gmail is showing that I have activated 2-set verification in their Gmail account, like a promotion or something.

• Is Gmail doing this?
• Is it possible that Gmail would do something like that?

I will give an example: I am [email protected] and I have activated 2-step verification. I have [email protected] as one of my contacts.

Would Gmail show in [email protected] account that [email protected] has activated 2-step verification?

Provided:

1. [email protected] is also in [email protected]'s contact list;
2. [email protected] is not in [email protected]'s contact list.

Answer 1

You can check to see if you have it activated by logging in to the dashboard and going to Account - manage account - security - 2 step verification and see if it is on or off

As you agree to their privacy policy it is entirely feasible that they would use that information about you to promote one of their products to a contact of yours, or someone that has you listed as a contact. Remember, they are in the business of selling.

Answer 2

Google have introduced a second layer of security to avoid people hi-jacking your account. See their BLOG for detailed explanation. As far as I know it is only turned on when you ask for it.

Answer 3

Would gmail show in [email protected] account, that [email protected] has activated 2-step verification? Provided :

No. Only accounts which you use & are authorized to check are shown if Two-factor auth is enabled or not.

Answer 4

I use multifactor authentication with multiple Google accounts currently. To my understanding, ONLY if:

• [email protected] has [email protected]'s password will [email protected] be able to see the second page with the mulitfactor auth prompt
• [email protected] tells [email protected] that he isusing Multifactor Auth

Will [email protected] be able to tell [email protected] is using Multifactor authentication.

Edit:
I just remembered one more way that [email protected] would beable to know if [email protected] is using multifactor auth: If [email protected] is a Google Apps administrator for @myowngmail.com, [email protected] will be able to know wether @myowngmail.com is enabled to let users to enable multifactor on accounts under @myowngmail.com.