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Facebook and Instagram to get paid verification as Twitter charges for two-factor SMS authentication

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Summary

Meta has announced that Facebook and Instagram users will now need to pay to be verified on the platforms. It will cost US$11.99 a month on web or US$14.99 on iOS and Android. This service will include a blue badge, extra impersonation protection, improved reach for verified users, and direct access to customer support. Twitter has also announced that they will provide SMS-based two-factor authentication only to paid users from March 20th. This has sparked concerns that it could lead to widespread hacks on accounts next month if they fail to switch over.

Q&As

What is Meta's plan for paid verification of Facebook and Instagram accounts?
Meta's plan for paid verification of Facebook and Instagram accounts is to charge users a monthly fee for a blue badge, extra impersonation protection, improved reach for verified users, and direct access to customer support.

How much does the verification service cost?
The verification service costs US$11.99 a month on web or US$14.99 on iOS and Android (or, in Australia, $19.99 on web or $24.99 on iOS and Android).

What are the requirements for verified accounts?
The requirements for verified accounts are government ID documents to prove the identity of the account, a posting history, and users must be at least 18 years old.

How will visibility of posts from verified users be impacted?
The visibility of posts from verified users will depend on a subscriber’s existing audience size and the topic of their posts. Those with smaller audiences might see more of an impact.

What was Twitter's response to Meta's paid verification service?
Twitter's response to Meta's paid verification service was that it would provide its SMS-based two-factor authentication only to paid users. Elon Musk, Twitter's CEO, responded to the news in a tweet saying it was “inevitable” Meta would follow Twitter.

AI Comments

👍 It is great to see Facebook and Instagram offering extra protection to verified accounts and allowing users to access exclusive stickers, content, and customer support.

👎 It is concerning that Twitter is limiting access to two-factor authentication to paid users, as this could lead to widespread account hacks if users do not switch over.

AI Discussion

Me: It's about how Facebook and Instagram will charge users for verified accounts, while Twitter is only providing SMS-based two-factor authentication to paid users.

Friend: Wow, that sounds pretty significant. What do you think the implications of this could be?

Me: Well, this could have a big effect on how users feel about the platforms. Verified accounts are often seen as more trustworthy, so this could make people less likely to trust accounts that don't offer the extra security of being verified. It could also increase the cost of using social media, as users will now have to pay for a verified account in addition to any other services they use. Additionally, it could lead to less competition on social media, as only those with the financial means to pay for the verification service will be able to use it.

Action items

Research other two-factor authentication methods that are more secure than SMS-based systems.
Consider subscribing to Twitter Blue to access SMS-based two-factor authentication.
Follow Meta's guidelines for verifying accounts on Facebook and Instagram.

Technical terms

Verified Accounts: Accounts that have been authenticated by a third-party service, such as Meta, to prove the identity of the account holder.
Two-Factor Authentication: A security measure that requires two different forms of authentication, such as a password and a code sent to a mobile device, to access an account.
Blue Badge: A blue checkmark that appears next to a verified account on social media platforms.
Impersonation Protection: A security measure that prevents users from creating accounts that impersonate other users or brands.
Customer Support: A service provided by a company to help customers with questions or problems.
Reach: The number of people who see a post or advertisement.
Exclusive Stickers: Digital images that can be used to decorate posts or stories on social media platforms.
Transparency Report: A report that provides information about a company’s activities, such as its data collection and usage policies.
Two-Factor Authentication Messages: Text messages sent to a user’s mobile device to verify their identity when logging into an account.