We want to reset relationship with developers: Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey

Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey has indicated that he would like to “reboot” Twitter’s fraught relationship with developers at the company’s annual developer conference in San Francisco. New Delhi

Twitter has actively shut down or discouraged third-party Twitter apps created by developers in order to exert more control over its platform, angering developers, who think that their third-party apps were at least partially responsible for Twitter’s rapid growth in its early days. (Reuters)

Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey has indicated that he would like to "reboot" Twitter's fraught relationship with developers at the company's annual developer conference in San Francisco.

Dorsey said the relationship with Twitter and third-party developers had become strained, but promised to work to improve the situation.

"Somewhere along the line, our relationship with developers became a little bit complicated," he said.

"I apologise for our confusion," he said, adding that "we want to reset our relationship, make sure we are learning, we are listening, we are rebooting."

Twitter has actively shut down or discouraged third-party Twitter apps created by developers in order to exert more control over its platform, angering developers, who think that their third-party apps were at least partially responsible for Twitter's rapid growth in its early days.

Dorsey said the developers play a key role in helping Twitter fulfil its important role in the global community.

"Twitter is unique because it is a brand, a bird, a logo that just about everyone on the planet has seen. It stands for something," he said.

"Twitter empowers the conversation that the world needs to see."

Dorsey also told the 1,500 developers that Twitter would make available analytical tools that can help them get better data on how people use applications.

Dorsey, a co-founder of Twitter, this month began his second stint as CEO as the San Francisco-based company seeks to revive growth and move toward profitability.

Reaching out to businesses

Twitter is also hoping to convince businesses of the advantages of its platform, which include new tools that allows them to get a close understanding of users, including such information as demographics and personal interests.

A merchant, for example, can identify a customer via Twitter and engage in a live conversation on the platform -- for example to correct a placed order.

Facebook already has something similar with its Messenger app.

These new announcements did not halt the slide in Twitter stock, which dropped 5% on Wall Street on Wednesday.

(With inputs from agencies)