Twitter to Charge for SMS Two-Factor Authentication

Twitter has announced that only blue verified users will be able to use the text messages two-factor authentication.

Announcing on Friday, the roll out will take place on March 20, other non-verified users will however be able to use the mobile app and a security key.

“While historically a popular form of Two-Factor Authentication, unfortunately we have seen phone-number based 2FA be used – and abused – by bad actors,” the company said in a blog post Friday.

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“So, starting today, we will no longer allow accounts to enroll in the text message/SMS method of 2FA unless they are Twitter Blue subscribers.”

Twitter blue, still not available in Africa, costs $11(approximately Ksh 1672) for anyone willing to pay.

Statistics show that by 2021, 2.6% Twitter users had a Two-Factor Authentication method enabled. 74.4% of the 2FA method users have SMS authentication.

Twitter said non-subscribers will have 30 days to disable the text method and enroll in another way to sign in using Two-Factor Authentication.