Twitter Transparent On App Graph App Install Tracking, Shows How To Opt Out

We wrote earlier this week about Twitter's plans to begin tracking the apps we have installed on our mobile devices, and now, the company's launched a page that lays all of the details out on the table. In a way, we should give props to Twitter for being so transparent about this, because it's the kind of feature that a lot of companies roll out and just hope users won't notice - which of course they will.

As before, Twitter insists that its goal is to simply tailor your experience with the service by scanning your apps. If it sees you have sports-themed apps installed, for example, it stands to reason that you'd start seeing more sports-related people to follow or more relevant promoted tweets. Twitter is adamant about the fact that only the names of apps are collected, not the data inside them.

Fortunately, those who don't want to be tracked don't have to be. As soon as you get hit with the new version of the app that bundles this functionality, you'll be prompted to accept or reject the feature. It's noted that if you already have the "Limit Ad Tracking" option enabled, then you're already in the clear from being tracked.

Twitter says this is what will result from its app-tracking:

• Improved “who to follow” suggestions that share similar interests.
• Adding Tweets, accounts, or other content to your timeline that we think you'll find especially interesting.
• Showing you more relevant promoted content.

If you opt into this functionality but later change your mind, you'll be able to remedy that by hitting-up the app's settings. In the end, while this feature does stand to improve Twitter's revenue, it can be useful to the end-user. It's still really up to you to gauge the true value of it, however.