Twitter updates permission process for third-party apps

MICROBLOGGING SERVICE Twitter has improved its permission process for third-party applications.

The update will gives users more control of what they share with third-party applications and will provide more information about exactly what permissions are being granted to an app.

The new authorisation page will fully list what the application will gain access to, such as reading your tweets, updating your profile, or posting new tweets or direct messages. Currently approved apps will ask for permission again if they need access to your direct messages, and by mid June the apps that don't need access to direct messages will have that permission revoked.

It will also show what the application won't have access to, usually only listing your password in this category. It's a small thing and one we normally take for granted, but having it openly listed will go a long way toward putting many minds at ease.

Of course, the system does not allow users to manually give access to just one or more features requested. You either give an app full permission to everything requested or click "No, thanks" and go on your merry way. More choice in this regard would do wonders for Twitter's privacy image.

Users can also view a summary of applications that have been given permission to use their account via the Applications page in Settings. If an app is there that isn't recognised, is no longer needed, or presents a privacy or security risk access can be revoked at the click of a button.

This update is a major privacy enhancement, as it means people are no longer unwittingly giving an application access to details they don't want to. Transparency about permissions is an important thing for social notworking services as more people become privacy conscious.

Twitter said it made these changes after receiving a large volume of requests from developers and users who wanted greater clarity and control over the permissions process. µ