Twitter Blocks Apps that Let Users Follow Accounts in Bulk

Twitter has been taking steps to make the platform more secure and friendly for users. Now, it has started blocking down API access to third-party services that let users engage in frequent follows and unfollows in return for money. They work to help people gain more followers by following a lot of people and unfollow those who don't follow back. The social networking giant is also coming down hard on services that have been using its API to send automated direct messages.

The blocked applications include ManageFilter, StatusBrew and Crowdfire. These apps were violating Twitter's spam policy which says that one of the activities that are considered spam is "if you have followed and/or unfollowed a large number of accounts in a short time period, particularly by automated means (aggressive following or follower churn)."

Twitter spokesperson's statement to TechCrunch explains:

We have suspended these three apps for having repeatedly violated our API rules related to aggressive following and follow churn. As a part of our commitment to building a healthy service, we remain focused on rapidly curbing spam and abuse originating from use of Twitter’s APIs.

Twitter said it will still allow these companies to apply for a new developer account and submit a "compliant app" for approval again. The existing apps will still remain suspended though.