Ask HN: Is it unethical for an app to tweet and follow?

by eslachance on 11/8/2011, 12:52 AM with 3 comments

So I started using an app on my phone that connects to twitter, gmail, facebook, etc, in order to learn my typing style (SwiftKey X) and offer suggestions. After a successful 30 day trial, I decided to go ahead an buy the full version, a whooping $3.50.

After installing and setting it up though, I was appalled to notice that, not only had the app had tweeted on my behalf without asking or even telling me, it had automatically followed the app company's official twitter account!

Do you think this is acceptable behavior for any software developer? What would be an appropriate reaction to this behavior, according to you?

  • by gfavvas on 11/8/2011, 1:11 AM

    It's definitely unethical, and also against Twitter's TOS (https://dev.twitter.com/terms/api-terms) which state:

    II) 1) B) Get users' permission before: - sending Tweets or other messages on their behalf. A user authenticating through your application does not constitute consent to send a message.

    I'd disable their access to your account and report the app to Twitter: http://support.twitter.com/groups/33-report-a-violation

  • by dholowiski on 11/8/2011, 1:11 AM

    I'm pretty sure you gave it permission to tweet on your behalf (twitter oauth). But yeah, unethical for sure - they should have at least asked you.