Twitter to start snooping at which apps you have installed - here's how to opt out

[SynTAX]

Twitter is set to start peeking on users' iPhones, iPads and Androids in order to see which apps they have downloaded.

The company will start collecting the list of apps installed on those smartphones and tablets so that it can, in its own words, "deliver tailored content that you might be interested in."

A support articlesays the additional data collection will allow Twitter to make better recommendations on who to follow, as well as insert content it thinks you will find interesting into your feed.

The new feature, which Twitter has named "app graph," could tie in with the company's recently announced Instant Timeline feature which takes new users' areas of interest and the people their contacts follow, and serves up a feed created for them in order to better personalise Twitter from day one.

By collecting data about other installed apps, the feature would be better positioned to create a more relevant starting timeline.

Of course, the main benefit to Twitter will be the ability to use the collected information to surface more targeted adverts. Or, as Twitter puts it, show you more promoted content it "think you'll find especially interesting."

Twitter says it will only record the list of apps you have installed, not how they are used.

So, for example, Twitter will be able to see that you have Spotify on your phone, but not that you're listening to the same 80s classic over and over and over again.

While entry into the new tracking system is automatic and opt-in by default, Twitter has promised to alert users when the new feature is turned on.

We will notify you about this feature being turned on for your account by showing a prompt letting you know that to help tailor your experience, Twitter uses the apps on your device. Until you see this prompt, this setting is turned off and we are not collecting a list of your apps.

If you don't want your apps to be snapped up by Twitter's data gobblers, here's how to turn it off:

For Android[//b]:

1. Tap the overflow icon
   
2. Choose Settings.
   
3. Select your account
   
4. Under Other, turn off Tailor Twitter based on my apps.
   
5. 
   

For iOS

1. Tap the Me tab, and then the gear icon
   
2. Choose Settings
   
3. Select your account
   
4. Under Privacy, turn off Tailor Twitter based on my apps.
   
5. 
   

Sursa: https://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2014/11/27/twitter-to-start-snooping-at-which-apps-you-have-installed-heres-how-to-opt-out/