Twitter Makes 2FA SMS-Based As A Paid Feature For Blue Customers

JAKARTA - Starting March 20, Twitter will no longer allow its users to use the SMS-based two-factor authentication feature (2FA), unless they subscribe to Twitter Blue.

The microblogging site has made 2FA text-based as an exclusive feature for members who pay for its Blue service.

Non-Twitter Blue members can no longer activate the feature, but those who have used it have until March 20 to disable the method and activate other types of authentication.

"After March 20, 2023, we will no longer allow non-Twitter Blue customers to use text messages as a 2FA method. At that time, accounts with 2FA text messages still enabled would be disabled," Twitter wrote on the company's official blog.

Twitter will only disable their 2FA if it fails to switch before that date. The company admits the feature is popular enough to use, but unfortunately cybercriminals are also stalking this feature.

"While historically 2FA is a popular feature, unfortunately we have seen 2FA-based phone numbers used and abused by bad actors," Twitter said.

"So starting today, we will no longer allow accounts to register in the 2FA text message/SMS method unless they are Twitter Blue subscribers," he added.

It is known, Twitter Blue is a company subscription-based service. This service offers features such as the ability to edit tweets for $8 per month.

Twitter CEO Elon Musk strongly intends to ask its users to upgrade to the service by placing some features behind the paywall, such as a blue tick.

To check 2FA's status on your Twitter account, go to Settings & privacy, select Security and access the Security click account and then click on two-factor authentication lag and select between authentication apps or security keys, as quoted from PCMag, Saturday, February 18.