Twitter Seeking OAuth Beta Participants

Twitter API lead Alex Payne has announced that the company is looking for people to be part of a beta test of the OAuth support for Twitter. OAuth is described as, "An open protocol to allow secure API authorization in a simple and standard method from desktop and web applications."

The real benefit is that users would no longer need to give third-party apps their username and password. Issues like we saw with TWPLY wouldn’t happen again.

Payne notes, "In the closed beta period, participants will be able to create and manage an unlimited number of OAuth applications. Any user will able  to access these applications, but only participants will be able to create them. More documentation forthcoming."

There has been a lot of talk from developers who want to see Twitter support the protocol. No word has been provided on how long the beta period will last or how many beta participants will be accepted.

Update: Well that was quick. The beta application period is closed due to overwhelming response.