Elon Musk responds to Twitter users being charged to secure accounts

it stems from fake two-factor authentication text messages, justifying the coming cost to Twitter users who'd like to use the feature to keep their accounts safe.

Users of the app are to start being charged for text message two-factor authentication starting March 20, Twitter announced.

The company's new policy, which will only allow Twitter Blue subscribers to use the two-factor authentication method, was by Platformer's Zoe Schiffer.

Twitter explained the move in a , noting that text-based authentication has often been “abused” by “bad actors.”

The shift comes as the social network aims to get more users to subscribe to Twitter Blue, which costs $8 a month through the web or $11 on mobile.

After March 20, Twitter "will no longer permit non-Twitter Blue subscribers to use text messages as a 2FA method," the company said.

"At that time, accounts with text message 2FA still enabled will have it disabled."

The company went on to say that "disabling text message 2FA does not automatically disassociate your phone number from your Twitter account."

Users who are not subscribed to Twitter Blue but are already enrolled in the text message two-factor authentication "will have 30 days to disable this method and enroll in another."

Those who don’t want to pay for Twitter Blue can still use an authentication app or security key to protect their accounts.

"These methods require you to have physical possession of the authentication method and are a great way to ensure your account is secure," Twitter said.

The policy change comes as Musk is reportedly considering a shock takeover swoop for Manchester United.