Twitter warns developers not to create surveillance tools

Social network keen to restate its anti-surveillance stance

Twitter has told developers not to use its public programming kits or Gnip data to create surveillance tools for the platform.

The social media company made announcement as surveillance is being discussed once again following the passage of the UK Investigatory Powers Bill (IP Bill) and remarks made by the incoming Trump government concerning increased powers for the NSA and CIA.

"As a company, our commitment to social justice is core to our mission and well established. And our policies in this area are long-standing," Twitter said.

"Using Twitter's Public APIs or data products to track or profile protesters and activists is absolutely unacceptable and prohibited."

Twitter has warned developers that it won't stand for the creation of spy tools for law enforcement or otherwise, and has said that those who don't stick to the rules will see their accounts suspended and their access to its public APIs and data products blocked.

"We prohibit developers using the public APIs and Gnip data products from allowing law enforcement - or any other entity - to use Twitter data for surveillance purposes. Period," Twitter said, in a move to reaffirm its anti-surveillance stance..

"The fact that our public APIs and Gnip data products provide information that people choose to share publicly does not change our policies in this area."

While the measures won't stop authorities from collecting information through other means, such as formal requests, Twitter says that it will also step up its efforts to police those accessing data.

"Over the coming months, you'll see us take on expanded enforcement and compliance efforts, including adding more resources for swiftly investigating and acting on complaints about the misuse of Twitter's public APIs and Gnip data products.

"The vast majority of developers respect the voices of people using Twitter, and we appreciate and support the creative and innovative work being done by these developers every day."