Home Never Hand Out Your Password Again: Twitter Goes OAuth

Never Hand Out Your Password Again: Twitter Goes OAuth

Today’s the day – the “Oauthpocalypse” – that Twitter users and developers (well, mostly developers) have been anxiously awaiting. It’s the day that Twitter will begin using OAuth rather than basic authentication for third-party applications, a move that has implications for both users and developers alike.

At 8 a.m. today, Twitter shut down basic authentication forever and, if your Tweetdeck or other Twitter app doesn’t work, there’s likely something you can do – update.

For those on the user end of things, the switch to OAuth means both a better and more secure experience with third-party Twitter applications. No longer will you have to wonder if a semi-sketchy looking website is going to steal your password, because they will not be asking you for your password. You sign in with Twitter, on twitter.com itself, and approve each app or website as you go, with a simple “approve” or “deny”.

Twitter notes in its blog post that you can always review what applications you have granted access to your account by looking at the Connections section under your settings. If you haven’t updated to the latest version of a Twitter app, you may find that it is broken and need to update for it to continue working.

As we explored when Twitter first started testing OAuth as a solution to its security woes, with this new system you will never have to cringe and give your Twitter password out to a stranger again. Another way to say that might be, never hand out your Twitter user name and password, ever again, as this switchover negates that process. And while it makes everything more secure, you’ll want to be aware that clicking “approve” means you’re giving that app carte blanche, read/write access to your Twitter account, so you should still weigh whether or not you want to give that particular application access before saying okay.

As for developers, the transition to OAuth from basic authentication has been a long time coming, with multiple emails sent out in the developers’ group, so many apps are already using the new system. If you have somehow missed all the hubbub over OAuth, then that’s what’s happening, and Twitter will no longer allow third-party apps to use basic authentication.

About ReadWrite’s Editorial Process

The ReadWrite Editorial policy involves closely monitoring the tech industry for major developments, new product launches, AI breakthroughs, video game releases and other newsworthy events. Editors assign relevant stories to staff writers or freelance contributors with expertise in each particular topic area. Before publication, articles go through a rigorous round of editing for accuracy, clarity, and to ensure adherence to ReadWrite's style guidelines.

Get the biggest tech headlines of the day delivered to your inbox

    By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Unsubscribe anytime.

    Tech News

    Explore the latest in tech with our Tech News. We cut through the noise for concise, relevant updates, keeping you informed about the rapidly evolving tech landscape with curated content that separates signal from noise.

    In-Depth Tech Stories

    Explore tech impact in In-Depth Stories. Narrative data journalism offers comprehensive analyses, revealing stories behind data. Understand industry trends for a deeper perspective on tech's intricate relationships with society.

    Expert Reviews

    Empower decisions with Expert Reviews, merging industry expertise and insightful analysis. Delve into tech intricacies, get the best deals, and stay ahead with our trustworthy guide to navigating the ever-changing tech market.