Twitter has announced changes regarding two-factor authentication. Now only paying subscribers will be able to go through SMS verification.
” Only Twitter Blue subscribers can use two-factor authentication via SMS “: If you are a regular user of Twitter, then you may have received this notification. The message is simple: you will therefore have to pay to protect access to your account via your mobile phone number – which is confirmed by a press release published on February 15.
” We will no longer allow the use of two-factor authentication via SMS, except for Twitter Blue accounts “, announces Twitter. If it’s enabled on your normal account, then you have until March 19, 2023 — or you’ll lose access to Twitter. ” A few minutes are enough to delete it “, Says the company, which highlights “abuse” by “bad people” to justify this choice. Above all, we see it as a way to inflate the functionalities of the Twitter Blue subscription at €8 per month (excluding taxes) and to save some money (sending an SMS costs some money).
How to protect your Twitter account when you are not a Blue member?
Let those who are not ready to enrich Elon Musk with a Blue account be reassured: there are two other ways to protect his Twitter account. In addition to double authentication by SMS, you can choose the following options: use an authentication application (example: Google Authenticator) or go through a security key.
” We encourage non-Twitter Blue members to consider using an authenticator app or security key instead. These methods require physical possession of said method and are a great way to keep your account secure. “, explains Twitter. The firm clarifies that disabling SMS double authentication will not automatically delete the phone number registered in your account.
To activate two-factor authentication in Twitter, go to the settings: Security and account access > Security > Two-factor authentication. In this tab, you must then choose one of the proposed methods (to date, SMS is still available, but we no longer recommend it) and follow the instructions to configure.
Remember that double authentication is essential to ensure that no one is able to hijack your account for misguided purposes. For a social network like Twitter, it is essential to activate it, regardless of the method chosen.
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