Twitter has announced in its blog post that in a new policy, only Twitter Blue subscribers will be able to use text messages as their Two-Factor Authentication. This massive move will be effective from March 20, 2024.
Non-Twitter Blue accounts who use this method have until March 20, 2024, to either subscribe to Twitter Blue and continue using this method or change how they secure their account. After that, non-Twitter Blue users will have the option of using an authentication app or security key for Two-Factor Authentication (2FA).
What is Two-Factor Authentication?
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) is a primary tool offered by Twitter to keep users’ accounts safe. It allows people to secure their accounts in case their password is stolen. In addition to entering your password to log in, 2FA requires you to also enter a security code or use a security key. Twitter currently offers three methods of 2FA: security key, authentication app, and text messages.
Before the announcement, users could enable text message 2FA by opening Twitter and navigating to settings > Security and Account Access > Security > Two-Factor Authentication. After that users would have to choose ‘text message’ out of the three displayed methods.
Out of the three, text messages have been the most widely used format for 2FA. The new policy, which seems like a bid to attract more Twitter Blue subscribers, will restrict the use of text messages for 2FA to only Twitter Blue subscribers. Non-Twitter Blue subscribers who are already enrolled in this method of 2FA will have until March 20 to change their method. After that, the text message method will automatically be disabled for them.
Till now, Two-Factor Authentication is still not mandatory to log into Twitter but is highly encouraged by the company. Twitter Support tweeted on Friday, “To be clear, two-factor authentication is still not required to log into Twitter, although we highly encourage users to enable it. This change just restricts the 2FA methods available for accounts not subscribed to Twitter Blue.”
Twitter’s response to why the company decided to implement the massive policy
In a blog post on Twitter, the company explained that it has seen “phone-number based 2FA be used – and abused – by bad actors.” The company further added that the availability of the text message method for Twitter Blue subscribers can vary by country and carrier. Users who choose to disable text message 2FA will not automatically have their phone numbers dissociated from their accounts. They will have the option to update their account phone number on account settings.
Twitter Blue: An enduring controversy
Twitter’s Two-Factor Authentication announcement comes at a time when advertisers are pulling back spending after Elon Musk’s $44 billion takeover of the company. Reports state that the company’s spending fell by 70% last December. Another report stated that earlier this month Twitter had around 180,000 Twitter Blue subscribers in the US, indicating that the highly controversial move towards charging for the blue tick hasn’t been working well for the company.
Twitter Blue costs $8 per month for web subscription and $11 per month for mobile subscription. In India, Twitter Blue is available for Rs 650 per month for web subscription and Rs 900 per month for mobile subscription and offers features like the blue checkmark and an edit tweet button.
