Draft: Twitter Rules for API Use

This document is for developers and companies building software that interacts with Twitter through our API. If you're a user of Twitter services, but not a developer, these rules will simply show what 3rd parties are currently allowed to do with the content you create on Twitter.

The goal of this document is to provide a set of reasonable ground rules for using the Twitter API and working with end users' content. We aim to strike a balance between fostering interesting development and protecting end users' rights. We want everyone to trust Twitter and to trust API developers. We are constantly amazed by the varied and compelling uses of the Twitter API. To that end, the Rules, like our ecosystem, will be evolving to meet these changing needs. Please contact us with any feedback or questions you may have about your specific use of the API, particularly if these rules appear to unwisely prohibit your current or proposed application.

The API is provided to you at Twitter's sole discretion and Twitter may suspend or terminate your access to the API. These Rules apply to you, as a user of the Twitter API and to your use of individual messages posted by Twitter users through Twitter (“Tweets”). You must:

• Identify the user that authored or provided the Tweet, unless you are providing Tweets in an aggregate form or in anonymous form in those exceptional cases where concerns over user security and anonymity are involved.
• Maintain the integrity of Tweets and not edit or revise them. Tweets may be abbreviated for display purposes and as necessary due to technical limitations or requirements of any networks, devices, services or media.
• Get each user's consent before sending Tweets or other messages on their behalf. A user authenticating with your application does not constitute consent to send a message.
• Get permission from the user that created the Tweet if you want to make their Tweet into a commercial good or product, like using a Tweet on a t-shirt or a poster or making a book based on someone’s Tweets.
• Clearly disclose when you are geotagging a user's tweets. If you are looking for guidance on an approved disclosure, see the Geotagging Best Practices.