Twitter announced As of Friday, users who don’t subscribe to Twitter Blue will soon have to stop using text messages as a two-factor authentication method to secure their accounts.
The social media platform, that was purchased by billionaire Tesla founder Elon Musk last year informed his users about the new policy in a press release Wednesday, saying it will no longer allow non-Twitter Blue subscribers to use text messages as a two-factor authentication method after March 20.
Two-factor authentication is a tool that requires users to enter a security code or key in addition to their normal password to access their accounts.
“This extra step helps ensure that you, and only you, have access to your account,” Twitter said of the process.
The company said the change is a result of “bad actors” abusing its two-factor phone number authentication system.
Any users who don’t subscribe to Twitter Blue and still have two-factor authentication via SMS enabled will lose access to the service on March 20 if they don’t opt out themselves.
In addition to SMS, Twitter offers two other two-factor authentication methods: an authenticator app and a security key. Those two methods remain free and available options for non-Twitter Blue members who still want an extra measure of security for their accounts.
Using free 2FA authentication apps will remain free and much more secure than SMS tweeted Saturday.
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