Twitter Suspends UberTwitter and Twidroyd Apps for Violating Policies
Twitter suspended three popular mobile applications made by UberMedia today, affecting potentially thousands of Twitter users across both iPhone and Android platforms.
UberMedia CEO Bill Gross addressed the suspension on none other than Twitter, writing: “Twitter has requested that we make some small changes to our clients, which we are doing right now, & we will be back live again asap.”
Only 30 minutes later, he updated his feed to say “We have made the changes Twitter requested. As soon as Twitter reactivates, you will be live again.”
In a post on Twitter’s site, it explains that if you are having problems logging into UberTwitter or twidroyd, it’s because Twitter suspended service to them today.
It explains that the abrupt suspension was necessary because it asks third-parties “to abide by a simple set of rules that we believe are in the interests of our users, and the health and vitality of the Twitter platform as a whole.”
Since both UberTwitter and twidroyd and a third, UberCurrent, which are all operated by UberMedia, were apparently not in compliance, it suspended the apps. No further details were included as to how it was violating the policies.
UPDATE: In a statement, Twitter provided a few more details, including the fact that its been in touch with UberMedia over the violations since April 2010. “These violations include, but aren’t limited to, a privacy issue with private Direct Messages longer than 140 characters, trademark infringement, and changing the content of users’ Tweets in order to make money.”
In a formal statement by UberMedia, Gross said Twitter asked them to modify the apps, including the name of UberTwitter. The name changing process began three weeks ago by polling its users on new names. “We’ve decided based on their input to change the product name to UberSocial, which we completed today.”
The apps have been resubmitted to the respective stores.
Twitter explains that it took the unusual step of sharing this suspension because it affects a larger number of users. In the meantime, it recommended downloading its own apps, using its mobile site or trying apps from other third-party developers.
