<p>Twitter said on Friday it will allow only paid subscribers to use text messages as a two-factor authentication (2FA) method to secure their accounts.</p>.<p>After March 20, "only Twitter Blue subscribers will be able to use text messages as their two-factor authentication method," the company tweeted.</p>.<p>Two-factor authentication, meant to make accounts more secure, requires an account holder to use a second authentication method in addition to a password. Twitter allows 2FA by text message, authentication app and a security key.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read — <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/business/technology/google-twitter-meta-apple-face-tougher-eu-online-content-rules-1192301.html" target="_blank">Google, Twitter, Meta, Apple face tougher EU online content rules</a></strong></p>.<p>The company believes phone-number-based 2FA is being abused by "bad actors," according to a Wednesday blog post that the company's tweet linked to.</p>.<p>Twitter owner Elon Musk tweeted "Yup" in reply to a user tweet that the company was changing policy "because Telcos Used Bot Accounts to Pump 2FA SMS," and that the company was losing $60 million a year "on scam SMS."</p>.<p>The blue check mark, previously free for verified accounts of politicians, famous personalities, journalists and other public figures, is now open to anyone prepared to pay.</p>.<p>Last month, Twitter said it would price Twitter Blue subscription for Android at $11 per month, the same as for iOS subscribers. </p>
<p>Twitter said on Friday it will allow only paid subscribers to use text messages as a two-factor authentication (2FA) method to secure their accounts.</p>.<p>After March 20, "only Twitter Blue subscribers will be able to use text messages as their two-factor authentication method," the company tweeted.</p>.<p>Two-factor authentication, meant to make accounts more secure, requires an account holder to use a second authentication method in addition to a password. Twitter allows 2FA by text message, authentication app and a security key.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read — <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/business/technology/google-twitter-meta-apple-face-tougher-eu-online-content-rules-1192301.html" target="_blank">Google, Twitter, Meta, Apple face tougher EU online content rules</a></strong></p>.<p>The company believes phone-number-based 2FA is being abused by "bad actors," according to a Wednesday blog post that the company's tweet linked to.</p>.<p>Twitter owner Elon Musk tweeted "Yup" in reply to a user tweet that the company was changing policy "because Telcos Used Bot Accounts to Pump 2FA SMS," and that the company was losing $60 million a year "on scam SMS."</p>.<p>The blue check mark, previously free for verified accounts of politicians, famous personalities, journalists and other public figures, is now open to anyone prepared to pay.</p>.<p>Last month, Twitter said it would price Twitter Blue subscription for Android at $11 per month, the same as for iOS subscribers. </p>