If you use Twitter on a regular basis, then you probably saw the official tweet from the company. Effective immediately, they’ve shut down the functionality that allowed users to tweet via SMS, something that has been a part of the platform since its earliest days.
For the time being, the company is keeping SMS-based two-factor authentication for account holders, but that may change.
Currently, it’s too soon to say with any degree of confidence. The recent action was taken in response to serious security flaws with tweeting via SMS that made user accounts vulnerable.
This is not the first time the company has suspended use of the feature. The first time they did it though, the suspension lasted just two days. It happened September 4th and 5th of 2019 after CEO Jack Dorsey’s Twitter account was hacked. This time, there’s no end in sight.
Users who rely on SMS-based tweeting are urged to make the transition to the social network’s Twitter mobile app, which serves as a viable alternative.
It should also be noted that while SMS-based tweeting has been suspended for most of the world, there are a few remote areas where it’s the only option available, and in those places, the capability to send a tweet via SMS remains intact.
The Twitter support team’s message about the change was short and to the point, reading simply:
“We want to continue to help keep your account safe. We’ve seen vulnerabilities with SMS, so we’ve turned off our Twitter via SMS service, except for a few countries. If you were using Twitter vis SMS, you can log in at twitter.com or download our mobile app to enjoy the full Twitter experience.”
At this time, there is no word on if or whether the service will be restored. If it’s something you’ve been in the habit of relying on in the past, be aware that you’ll have to make a few changes to your routine.