> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://interhacktives.mymagic.page/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Say Goodbye to Free SMS Two-Factor Authentication on Twitter
- URL: https://interhacktives.mymagic.page/say-goodbye-to-free-sms-two-factor-authentication-on-twitter/
- Published: 2023-02-23T19:11:28.000Z
- Updated: 2023-02-23T19:11:28.000Z
- Author: interhacktives
- Tags: Audience & Social, News, Authentication, Elon Musk, Hacker, interhacktives, OTP, Security, social media, Twitter, twitter blue, #Migrated-1793717950415, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-11-03 14:59

[Twitter](https://interhacktives.mymagic.page/will-twitter-become-a-nest-of-fake-news/) is set to prohibit its non-paying users from using the SMS-based two-factor authentication (2FA) to secure their accounts, forcing millions to look for an alternative protection method.

The 2FA is a security method that requires users to confirm their identity twice before being granted an access to their accounts. One of the most popular 2FA method is the SMS-based one, which allows users to receive a one-time password through a text message to authenticate themselves before logging into their accounts.

"While historically a popular form of 2FA, unfortunately we have seen phone-number based 2FA be used - and abused - by bad actors," Twitter said in a [statement](https://blog.twitter.com/en%5Fus/topics/product/2023/an-update-on-two-factor-authentication-using-sms-on-twitter?ref=interhacktives.mymagic.page), encouraging its non-paying users to use an authentication app or security key method instead.

[Twitter](https://twitter.com/TwitterSupport/status/1626757587524890624?lang=en&ref=interhacktives.mymagic.page): "Effective March 20, 2023, only Twitter Blue subscribers will be able to use text messages as their two-factor authentication method."

Twitter Blue is a paid subscription service that adds a blue checkmark to a user's account for £8 or £11 a month. It's estimated that there were about [290,000](https://www.thetechoutlook.com/news/technology/web-social-media/twitter-blue-reaches-290k-subscribers-globally-as-of-mid-january-heres-more-about-it/?ref=interhacktives.mymagic.page) Twitter Blue subscribers as of mid-January, just a fraction of the social media giant's 368 million monthly active users.

Despite an [outcry](https://twitter.com/calijignasa/status/1626950774759784450?s=20&ref=interhacktives.mymagic.page) from various users against the new Twitter policy, SMS-based 2FA is actually notorious for its weak security. As SMS is relatively easy to compromise, hackers can [intercept an OTP](https://www.forbes.com/sites/zakdoffman/2020/10/11/apple-iphone-imessage-and-android-messages-sms-passcode-security-update/?sh=3e0601c22ede&ref=interhacktives.mymagic.page) texted to a phone and gain access to a user's account. Hence, this may be a good time to switch to an authentication app or security key method.