Twitter Limits SMS-Based 2-Factor Authentication to Blue Subscribers Only

Feb 18, 2023Ravie LakshmananAuthentication / Online Security

Twitter has announced that it's limiting the use of SMS-based two-factor authentication (2FA) to its Blue subscribers.

"While historically a popular form of 2FA, unfortunately we have seen phone-number based 2FA be used – and abused – by bad actors," the company said.

"We will no longer allow accounts to enroll in the text message/SMS method of 2FA unless they are Twitter Blue subscribers."

Twitter users who have not subscribed to Blue that have enrolled for SMS-based 2FA have time till March 20, 2023, to switch to an alternative method such as an authenticator app or a hardware security key.

After this cutoff date, non-Twitter Blue subscribers will have their option disabled.

The alternative methods "require you to have physical possession of the authentication method and are a great way to ensure your account is secure," Twitter noted.

Given that SMS has been the least secure form of 2FA, the latest enforcement is likely to force people to move towards secure forms of authentication.

According to Twitter's own data, only 2.6% of all active accounts have enabled at least one form of 2FA. SMS accounts for 74.4%, followed by authenticator apps (28.9%) and security keys (0.5%).

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