In a not - so - surprising , sudden reversal , Elon Musk walked back on plans to all terminate liberal admission to Twitter ’s software scheduling interface ( API ) over the weekend . The billionaire betoken that limited , price - free API access would stay for “ sound ” bots on the site , in a Saturdaynight tweet .
“ react to feedback , Twitter will enable a light-colored , write - only API for bots providing respectable subject that is gratuitous , ” the Twitter CEO post ina threadconcerning the much - have a go at it , automated@PepitoTheCataccount .
Pépito the Cat Triggers Change
Initially , on Thursday , Twitter announcedthat it would “ no longer support devoid access to the Twitter API , ” beginning February 9 — effectively banning all botsfrom the social media platform and doom most third - party apps .
“ This will kill @PepitoTheCat account . Pépito is part of Twitter story , he put up quality content with slap-up engagement,”tweeted the account , which has more than 211,000 followers and usually just upload telecasting clip of the eponymous African tea entering or exiting his place through a Caterpillar door . In reception to the Pépito concern , Musk ’s resolution to destroy all bots waffled . “ I guess we could give all avow users access to the API for posts like this , ” the billionaire wrote , before declare the insurance policy alteration .
Responding to feedback , Twitter will enable a light , write - only API for bots cater good content that is gratis
Elon Musk is seemingly desperate to line up more ways to get Twitter users to pay the bird.Photo:mundissima(Shutterstock)
— Elon Musk ( @elonmusk)February 5 , 2023
What is the API Used For?
A room access into Twitter ’s program computer programming user interface is critical for doodad like Twitterific and Tweetbot made by non - Twitter developers , automate accounts , and online researcher . The API is the behind - the - scenes software package go-between that allows external source to access and compile site data , and engage with the platform ’s digital infrastructure . Without a innocent edition of that doorway , many account possessor , researchers , and developers announce that they would end their work with Twitter .
Hi All , I repent to denote you all that this bot will stop working on 9th of February ( Next week ) due to new Twitter ’s API insurance policy . I have no intention on pay Twitter for basic API utilization .
you may continue to follow the bot on Mastodon : https://t.co / tGsVdbTKyu
It ’s been funhttps://t.co/bNwJ4eqLjG
— Possumeveryhour.io ( @PossumEveryHour)February 2 , 2023
Next week , there wo n’t be a free Twitter API anymore . As a result , I will stop any employment on non - commercial project that use the API and will have to re - evaluate which commercial projects are still practicable .
This change will destroy research , activism and commercial-grade projects.https://t.co/wI9a4m7EFl
— Luca Hammer ( @luca)February 2 , 2023
At the end of last week and over the weekend , the backlash against the API variety ballooned as Musk revealed that the entry - level paid tierwould be $ 100 per month , and as users realized even innocuous automatise accounts like @PepitoTheCat and@colorize_botwould be impacted . So , rather predictably , Musk shifted scheme .
The change in course is just the latest instance of Musk apace line up a Twitter policy approximation in reaction to damaging feedback , days after first announce planned platform adjustments . Previously , the multihyphenate CEO alsoflip - floppedon things like the price and carrying out of hischaotic verification system , bans on certain accounts , and a prohibition onlinks to external social media land site . Since taking the helm at Twitter , Musk has approached his leadership rolefast and loose , pivot from idea to idea on a day - to - 24-hour interval basis , and often announce these changes via tweets .
The “ Chief Twit,”claimed that the planto wipe out free API access was one meant to denigrate “ scammers & opinion manipulator . ” But it ’s deserving keep in mind that the move to further monetise the platform ’s port comes amid Twitter ’s mounting financial struggles andmassive looming debt . The company is facingmultiple lawsuitsfor skip out on economic rent , has slashedmore than halfits faculty since former November , and has fail as far asauctioning off agency furniturein its incorporated austerity measures .
Elon MuskHyperloopMuskOperating systemssoftwareX ( Twitter )
Daily Newsletter
Get the best tech , science , and culture news in your inbox day by day .
intelligence from the future tense , extradite to your present .
You May Also Like
