They aren't installed applications. They are shortcuts which allow you to download and install them. There is nothing to uninstall. They aren't running. Put them in a folder called Useless Carrier Installed Applications That (OK, just Useless) and hide the folder.
Twitter and Facebook have been known to run down batteries. What applications are actually running?
I didn't ask for these short-cuts (or apps.) to be install so surely this is an infringement in the same way that a virus is; being installed without my authorisation?
If you read your agreement/contract with your carrier, you probably already agreed to allow the carrier to modify the software on the device (even if you didn't realize that you were agreeing to it).