22 March 2012

Please don't update my profile for me

Maybe they mean, we can update your posts when you ask us to? Hmm, but that is the "post tweets for you"
But what about updating my profile? Why?

Does anyone know why so many applications wants a person to give them permission to "update your profile".  Why would I want anyone to update by profile expect me? Maybe I'm missing the point of this authorization. Sure read and see who I follow.  But update my profile? No, thank-you. I have simply decided not to accept those applications that request this from me. No, you may not update my profile or post tweets for me (unless I'm the one who is saying - please post this tweet for me).

This application will be able to:

  • Read Tweets from your timeline.
  • See who you follow, and follow new people.
  • Update your profile.
  • Post Tweets for you.



4 comments:

  1. This is Celeste from Shareaholic. You contacted support asking us to post a comment on this article.

    What you are encountering is called OAuth (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OAuth), which is a requirement for all third-party applications to interact with Twitter.

    When opting to share with Twitter via one of our web tools, you receive a notification that OAuth is being used to connect you with Twitter through our application. You then have the opportunity to permit the posting action of a tweet to your feed.

    By connecting your Shareaholic account with your Twitter account, you will bypass this OAuth notification screen when sharing so that it will be quicker and easier for you to tweet when using our products.

    There are many different actions in Twitter's API (https://dev.twitter.com/docs) that can be utilized by third-party developers who create applications with Twitter functionality. Some applications may allow you to read Tweets from your timeline, grant the ability to interact with your follow list, update your profile, or post tweets on your behalf.

    When permitting an action, it is for that single moment in time, allowing the application to fulfill your specified request on Twitter. Shareaholic acts as a conduit between you and Twitter.

    ReplyDelete
  2. As for updating your profile, when connecting your Shareaholic account and Twitter account, your profile is changed by adding Shareaholic as an application with OAuth permission.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for clarifying that. I am old school when it comes to computers and the word profile means (to me) my personal profile - not the apps I have signed up to use. Again thanks for taking the time to respond.

      Delete
  3. Twitter isn't very smart or sophisticated about letting developers pick and choose granular API/oAuth permissions that are best suited for their apps. They somewhat follow a philosophy of all or nothing, unlike Facebook where there is a lot more granularity. This is why you see so many applications asking for so many Twitter permissions - we have no other choice.

    Shareaholic does NOT post any Tweets EVER without your permission.

    Warmly,
    Jay

    ReplyDelete