Twitter has announced that from March 20, only its paid subscribers will be able to use text messages as a two-factor authentication (2FA) method to secure their accounts. Twitter allows 2FA through text message, authentication app, and a security key.
The company has taken this decision to stop “bad actors” from abusing phone-number-based 2FA, as per a recent blog post that the company tweeted.
Elon Musk, owner of Twitter, confirmed that the change in policy was to combat the use of bot accounts by telcos that were pumping 2FA SMS, costing the company $60 million a year in scam SMS.
Twitter Blue, the paid subscription service, will cost $11 per month for both Android and iOS subscribers. The blue check mark, previously free for verified accounts of politicians, famous personalities, journalists, and other public figures, is now available to anyone willing to pay.
Two-factor authentication is meant to make accounts more secure by requiring users to use a second authentication method in addition to a password.
Twitter’s decision to charge users for text message-based 2FA has raised concerns among some users who argue that charging for such a service goes against the spirit of keeping users safe online.
However, Twitter has justified its decision, saying that the revenue generated from its subscription service will help the company offer better security features and fight abuse on its platform.
Twitter has been trying to strengthen its security measures and fight abuse on its platform. In the past, it has faced criticism for not doing enough to protect users’ data and prevent abuse.
The company has also faced scrutiny for its handling of high-profile accounts, including that of former US President Donald Trump.
While two-factor authentication is an essential security feature, it is not foolproof. Cybercriminals have found ways to bypass 2FA, highlighting the need for more sophisticated security measures.
In recent years, there has been a rise in the use of multi-factor authentication, which adds an additional layer of security to the authentication process.
In conclusion, Twitter’s decision to charge users for text message-based 2FA is a significant development in its efforts to fight abuse on its platform.
While it has raised concerns among some users, the move could help Twitter generate revenue that it can use to improve its security features and make its platform safer for all users.
