Starting March 20, 2023, two-factor authentication via text messages will only be available to Twitter Blue subscribers, the social media network announced yesterday.
Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds a second layer of protection to your account, wherein you are asked to enter a security code after you enter your password.
In a blog post, Twitter said “phone-number based 2FA be used and abused by bad actors.” Starting February 18, the social network will no longer allow accounts to enroll in the text message/SMS method of 2FA unless they are Twitter Blue subscribers.
However, the other methods for 2FA are still available. Users can still use an Authentication app or Security key as a 2FA method.
Effective March 20, 2023, only Twitter Blue subscribers will be able to use text messages as their two-factor authentication method. Other accounts can use an authentication app or security key for 2FA. Learn more here:https://t.co/wnT9Vuwh5n
— Twitter Support (@TwitterSupport) February 18, 2023
Non-Twitter Blue subscribers have 30 days to disable text messages as a 2FA method and enroll in another method to secure their accounts. After 20 March 2023, free Twitter subscribers can no longer use text messages as a 2FA method.
You might also like: How to use a passphrase, instead of a password, to better protect your online accounts
We highly recommend Twitter users activate 2FA. Using the authentication app Google Authenticator is a good way to secure your accounts.
