Twitter warns Android users about a serious security vulnerability

If you use Twitter’s Android app, you should update it right now.

The company has uncovered a security vulnerability in its Android app that could put users direct messages and location information at risk. 

In a blog post, the company says it has fixed the issue, but that Android users should update their app as soon as possible in order to protect their account. If you can’t update the app, the company says you should use twitter.com until you can do so.

That may seem like as inconvenience, but the company’s description of the issue makes clear just how serous the issue is.

“Prior to the fix, through a complicated process involving the insertion of malicious code into restricted storage areas of the Twitter app, it may have been possible for a bad actor to access information (e.g., Direct Messages, protected Tweets, location information) from the app,” the company writes.

Twitter is quick to point out that they’ve found no evidence this particular vulnerability has ben exploited, “but we can’t be completely sure so we are taking extra caution.”

The company says it’s also alerting Android users by email and in-app messages to update. So, needless to say, if you get such a notification: download the latest version of the app as soon as you can.