Twitter Users Dislike Lack of Security

Twitter continues to change its features since Elon Musk acquired the company.

Twitter users expressed their dislike of the company altering a key component of a security feature.

The social media network announced on Feb. 17 that it would stop allowing its users the ability of using their phone to complete two-factor authorization to avoid the preying eyes of potential hackers.

DONT MISS: Twitter Announces a Big Change in Its Security Practices

Security experts said the login approach, also known as multi-factor authorization, which involves using a password and receiving a separately generated code to make hacking more difficult, is a much needed security tool.

Users immediately tweeted about the latest change, which seems to be backfiring. One user, @citizengatsby, detests the change and tweeted, "Wow this is some bullsh*t."

Having a security feature on an app is not just a feature, but a critical security feature that protects its users, @brosandprose tweeted.

"I had a stalker for years who would spend hours trying to hack my accounts. I would get dozens of 2factor texts in a row," she tweeted. "It was horrifying, but also a great lesson in how vital these security features are. Elon Musk is now charging for a basic necessity."

Security For a Monthly Fee

Twitter now will only allow two-factor authorization if users want to pony up $8 a month to use it on the web and $11 to use it on their mobile phones via iOS or Android if they sign up for Twitter Blue.

Twitter Blue is the paid subscription service introduced by CEO Elon Musk shortly after he completed his $44 billion acquisition of Twitter last year.

“After 20 March 2023, we will no longer permit non-Twitter Blue subscribers to use text messages as a 2FA method,” the company said in a blog post.

“We encourage non-Twitter Blue subscribers to consider using an authentication app or security key method instead. These methods require you to have physical possession of the authentication method and are a great way to ensure your account is secure,” the company said.

Since Musk took the company private, he has sought various strategies and launched features to generate more revenue. Twitter Blue is one of the few monetization tools available to the company outside of advertising sales. Musk has been struggling to cut costs and boost revenue to help carry the huge debt load he took on to acquire the micro blogging service.

He laid off thousands of Twitter employees shortly after the acquisition closed in late October. 

Twitter users are not fans of the change that was made.

"Elon Musk is taking the bare minimum security of a Twitter account away, two-step authentication, unless you #GiveElonEight," tweeted @MelaynaLokosky. "All some ex Twitter engineer has to do is create a third-party work around to screw Elon. Astonishing how much Musk does not understand revenue models.

Removing the security application does not appear to be a popular strategy, @hemantmehta tweeted.

"Just a wildly idiotic move by Musk and Twitter," he said. "As if less security is better for a site known for spreading misinformation."