Twitter uses its own URL shortener to fight scams

Twitter uses its own twt.tl-url shortener to prevent phishing and the spread of malware. Links in direct messages will automatically be converted to twt.tl links, which warn if the original link is suspicious.

Scammers sending direct messages with scam links via Twitter have so far been unstoppable. Suspicious links could only be detected after being sent, and especially when using e-mail notifications for direct messages, the tweeters could not be warned in time. That’s about to change, Twitter’s Trust And Safety team said know: Links in direct messages are now automatically replaced by a shortened twt.tl URL from Twitter.

When a user clicks on such a link, the original link is checked against a database. If the original link is classified as suspicious, the user will see a warning, otherwise the original link will be passed on. The security will be introduced in phases and will therefore not be available to everyone immediately.

Twitter also advises users to pay close attention, because only known scam sites are detected. Moreover advises the Trust and Safety team cannot follow just any twitterer, as you can only receive direct messages from users you follow. Whether twt.tl will replace Twitter’s current default URL shortener, bit.ly, is unknown.