Twitter to charge users to secure accounts via text message


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

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

Two-factor authentication, meant to make accounts more secure, requires an account holder to use a second authentication method in addition to a password

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

Twitter owner Elon Musk tweeted "Yup" in reply to a user tweet that the company was changing policy "because Telcos Used Bot Accounts to Pump 2FA SMS," and that the company was losing $60 million a year "on scam SMS

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

Last month, Twitter said it would price Twitter Blue subscription for Android at $11 per month, the same as for iOS subscribers



Date:20-Feb-2023 Reference:View Original Link