Twitter’s app development arm is under investigation by the US Federal Trade Commission over concerns surrounding its relationship with third party app developers, according to Business Insider.

A host of enterprises have sprung up in recent years each vying to slake the thirst of Twitters growing army of tweeters in their need to better manage their accounts – including such services as Tweetdeck, a utility that allows users to filter tweets.

This symbiotic relationship hasn’t always been rosy however as Twitter is now increasingly coming into conflict with such businesses as it seeks to buy them out or launch competing services of its own.

It comes as Twitter attempts to claw back lost revenue by developing all aspects its service in-house rather than rely on third parties, a move which could help the firm attain a $10bn valuation when it floats on the stockmarket.

Twitter made $45m in advertising revenues last year and is projected to earn $150m this year, according to eMarketer.