In a move that has left thousands of users frustrated and locked out of their accounts, Elon Musk’s social media platform X—formerly Twitter—has bungled a critical security update tied to its ongoing rebranding efforts. The issue stems from the company’s attempt to fully retire the old twitter.com domain and transition to x.com, requiring users with hardware security keys or passkeys to re-enroll their two-factor authentication (2FA) methods.

According to reports, the process, which was supposed to be straightforward, has instead trapped users in endless verification loops, preventing them from completing the re-enrollment and accessing their accounts. This fiasco unfolded just days after a November 10, 2025, deadline, exacerbating concerns about X’s technical reliability under Musk’s leadership.

The Deadline and Initial Warnings

X had warned users in late October that those relying on hardware security keys, such as YubiKeys, or passkeys for 2FA would need to re-enroll by November 10 to avoid lockouts, as detailed in an article by WebProNews. The platform emphasized that this was part of retiring the legacy twitter.com domain, a remnant of its pre-Musk era.

Similar alerts were issued across multiple outlets, including The Register, which noted X’s assurance that the reset was ‘nothing to worry about’ despite the curious timing. However, as the deadline approached, users began reporting glitches, setting the stage for widespread disruptions.

Technical Glitches and User Frustrations

The core problem, as reported by TechCrunch on November 12, 2025, involves users being stuck in infinite loops during the re-enrollment process. Attempts to verify identities lead back to the starting point, effectively barring access without resolution.

Industry insiders point out that passkeys, a modern passwordless authentication standard promoted by tech giants like Google and Apple, were meant to enhance security. Yet, X’s implementation has highlighted the risks of migrating large-scale systems, especially for a platform with over 500 million users. Dev|Journal echoed these concerns, warning that failure to re-enroll could result in permanent lockouts.

Background on X’s Rebranding Challenges

The domain switch is the latest chapter in X’s tumultuous rebranding since Musk’s $44 billion acquisition in 2022. Initially rebranded from Twitter to X in 2023, the platform has faced ongoing technical hurdles, including API changes and content moderation shifts that have alienated some users and advertisers.

Security experts note that hardware keys like YubiKeys provide robust protection against phishing, making their disruption particularly alarming. As FindArticles reported on November 12, 2025, the switchover has ‘shut users out,’ with complaints flooding social media and support forums.

Company Response and Broader Implications

X has yet to issue a formal statement addressing the lockouts, though earlier communications, as covered by BizToc, downplayed the re-enrollment as a routine step in domain retirement. Insiders suggest the issues may stem from backend incompatibilities between the old and new domains, complicating the authentication handshake.

The fallout raises questions about X’s engineering priorities amid Musk’s focus on ventures like xAI and Tesla. Recent web searches indicate user sentiment on platforms like X itself is overwhelmingly negative, with reports of prolonged downtime for affected accounts.

Security Best Practices in Flux

For users, workarounds include temporarily disabling 2FA or switching to app-based methods, but this compromises security. Security Affairs advised re-enrolling promptly or disabling 2FA as a last resort, highlighting the November 10 deadline’s urgency.

Experts from The Hacker News emphasize that such migrations demand rigorous testing, something X appears to have skimped on, potentially due to its lean engineering team post-layoffs.

Lessons from Past Tech Migrations

Historically, similar domain transitions, like those at major banks or e-commerce sites, have involved phased rollouts to minimize disruptions. X’s approach contrasts sharply, fueling criticism that Musk’s aggressive timelines prioritize speed over stability.

Moreover, the incident coincides with scrutiny over Musk’s own security clearances, as noted in a Government Executive piece from October 2025, though unrelated, it underscores broader accountability issues in his empire.

Future Outlook for X’s Infrastructure

As X pushes forward with innovations like AI integrations via Grok, resolving these foundational security flaws is crucial. Web searches reveal ongoing discussions in tech forums about potential class-action suits if lockouts persist.

Ultimately, this debacle serves as a cautionary tale for platforms undergoing digital transformations, reminding industry leaders that user trust hinges on seamless, secure experiences.