Twitter to Begin Charging s to Protect Their s via SMS Messages From March 5u2i22 Technology News

Twitter believes that phone-number-based two-factor authentication is being abused by "bad actors". 1mx4b

By Reuters | Updated: 18 February 2023 10:41 IST

Twitter to Begin Charging s to Protect Their s via SMS Messages From March

Photo Credit: Twitter 4m6b2k

Elon Musk acquired Twitter for $44 billion last year

Highlights

Two-factor authentication was meant to make s more secure
Twitter allows 2FA by text message, authentication app and a security key
Twitter Blue subscription is now available for Android at $11 per month

ment

Twitter said on Friday it will allow only paid subscribers to use text messages as a two-factor authentication (2FA) method to secure their s.

After March 20, "only Twitter Blue subscribers will be able to use text messages as their two-factor authentication method," the company tweeted.

To be clear, two-factor authentication is still not required to to Twitter, although we highly encourage s to enable it. This change just restricts the 2FA methods available for s not subscribed to Twitter Blue.
— Twitter (@Twitter) February 18, 2023

Two-factor authentication, meant to make s more secure, requires an holder to use a second authentication method in addition to a . Twitter allows 2FA by text message, authentication app and a security key.

The company believes phone-number-based 2FA is being abused by "bad actors," according to a Wednesday blog post that the company's tweet linked to. "So starting today, we will no longer allow s to enrol in the text message/SMS method of 2FA unless they are Twitter Blue subscribers. The availability of text message 2FA for Twitter Blue may vary by country and carrier," the company said in the post.

Google Calls CCI Fine Over Mobile App Distribution 'Unfair Imposition'

s who have not subscribed to Twitter Blue but already have SMS based 2FA enabled will have 30 days to disable it and enrol in another method, according to Twitter

Twitter owner Elon Musk tweeted "Yup" in reply to a tweet that the company was changing policy "because Telcos Used Bot s to Pump 2FA SMS," and that the company was losing $60 million (roughly Rs. 490 crore) a year "on scam SMS."

The blue check mark, previously free for verified s of politicians, famous personalities, journalists and other public figures, is now open to anyone prepared to pay.

Elon Musk Reportedly Shuts Two Twitter India Offices Months After Layoffs

Last month, Twitter said it would price Twitter Blue subscription for iOS subscribers.

Google, Twitter, Meta Have Crossed the EU Threshold for Monthly s

The iQoo Neo 7 packs a lot of power at an affordable price. But did the company cut the right corners to keep the price low? We discuss this and more on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.

links may be automatically generated - see our ethics statement for details.

Comments

For the latest reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube.