For the sake of a “more personal Twitter experience”, the microblogging innovator will be collecting data on users’ library of apps, it revealed on Wednesday.
Twitter discusses the App Graph on Help Centre, stating: “we are collecting and occasionally updating the list of apps installed on your mobile device so we can deliver tailored content that you might be interested in.”
It further adds, “If you’re not interested in a tailored experience you can adjust your preferences at any time. Additionally, if you have previously opted out of interest-based ads by turning on “Limit Ad Tracking” on your iOS device or by adjusting your Android device settings to “Opt out of interest-based ads,” we will not collect your apps unless you adjust your device settings.”
However, Twitter vows that users will be notified when the setting is activated, and will not touch data within the external apps. The update is intended, Twitter has moved, to improve the company’s knowledge of their customers and target promoted content more accurately. The update was rolled out to iOS users this week, with Android to follow next week.
Recode has pointed out that, users opting out will have any data previously collected deleted from Twitter’s servers, citing informed sources.
Given the continued backlash from wary users reluctant to have their data collected and analysed by tech titans, how the update will benefit or harm Twitter remains to be seen.
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(Image credit: Scott Beale)
