Twitter announced that they are changing how data is being cached in the Firefox web browser.
It seems that despite Firefox settings that are expected to delete the web brower’s cache on a weekly basis, Twitter data remained undeleted.
Which is fine, unless you used a public computer with Firefox to Tweet or download your data. For example, at your office, public library, or your ex-girlfriend’s mac.
Twitter will be changing how data is stored and purged in Firefox, and here’s the announcement:
Twitter Data Cache on Mozilla Firefox
We recently learned that the way Mozilla Firefox stores cached data may have resulted in non-public information being inadvertently stored in the browser’s cache. This means that if you accessed Twitter from a shared or public computer via Mozilla Firefox and took actions like downloading your Twitter data archive or sending or receiving media via Direct Message, this information may have been stored in the browser’s cache even after you logged out of Twitter. The Mozilla Firefox browser’s cache retention period is set to 7 days and after that time the information should have automatically been removed from the cache. This issue did not impact people using other browsers like Safari or Chrome.
We have implemented a change on our end so that going forward the Firefox browser cache will no longer store your personal information. If you use, or have used, a public or shared computer to access Twitter, we encourage you to clear the browser cache before logging out, and to be cautious about the personal information you download on a computer that other people use.
We’re very sorry this happened. We recognize and appreciate the trust you place in us, and are committed to earning that trust every day. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this incident, you can contact Twitter’s Data Protection Officer by completing the online form located here.
