Twitter has released a browser game about its privacy settings
Twitter has released a free game to draw attention to its rewritten privacy policy and security features. It isn't great, but at least it's more interesting than almost anything else to do with privacy policies.
Called Twitter Data Dash, the pixel art platformer by Momo Pixel has you jump through four short levels, collecting bones and avoiding enemies. You play as a blue dog named Data, as well as one of four different characters who can accompany him. It's a purely aesthetic choice though, as the gameplay is the same regardless of who you choose.
The browser game is simple enough, with a premise that's easy to grasp and controls restricted to moving forward, back, and jumping. There are five bones to collect per level, completion of which will cause a brief explanation of one of Twitter's security features to pop up. A button linking you to the relevant section of Twitter's settings will also appear, alongside the option to tweet how long it took you to complete the level alongside a link to the game.
"The Twitterverse can be tricky to navigate if you don't know your way around," Twitter writes on the game's website. "So we made a game to help you understand our privacy policy a little better.
"Welcome to PrivaCity! Get your dog, Data, safely to the park. Dodge cat ads, swim through a sea of DMs, battle trolls, and learn how to take control of your Twitter experience along the way."
Personally, I wouldn't recommend Twitter Data Dash. The pixel art is cute, using a colour palate dominated by Twitter’s blue. There’s also a milkshake duck just chilling to the side in each level as an adorable self-aware Easter egg. However, movement is frustratingly clunky and feels more like a chore than entertainment. Fortunately, running into enemies only stops you for a moment, so stumbling into their path won't set you back — though avoiding them doesn't feel rewarding either. Having played all four levels of Twitter Data Dash, I can't see this going viral on Twitter Wordle-style.
In addition to releasing this game, Twitter further announced it has rewritten its privacy policy to make it easier to understand. It's still very lengthy, and the vast majority of people probably won't read it. But if you do decide to dive in, hopefully it won't inspire confused frustration quite as quickly.
"We’ve emphasized clear language and moved away from legal jargon," wrote the official Twitter Safety account. "Beginning today, you can see the updates to our privacy policy and terms of service in the app via settings and on our redesigned privacy policy site."
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Regardless of if you read Twitter's privacy policy or not, it's always a good idea to check over your security settings to make sure you aren't sharing information with anyone you'd rather not.
