Twitter has once again delayed the implementation of its API changes amid growing concerns regarding the potential impacts on users and developers. The social media giant, now led by Elon Musk, had initially planned to end free access to both v2 and v1.1 API on February 9th, as announced on February 2nd, 2023. However, the timeline has been extended multiple times, with the most recent update pushing the deadline back beyond February 13th.
Although the changes are set to roll out soon, Twitter has not yet disclosed the specific pricing structure for developers to obtain access to the API. Musk has suggested in the past that the cost could be around $100 per month, adding that the verification process and pricing will likely deter malicious bots from infiltrating the platform.
Despite the existence of harmful bots, Twitter also hosts numerous beneficial ones, such as ThreadReader, which enhance the overall user experience. To support these positive bots, Twitter has proposed a free tier that would allow up to 1,500 tweets per month. However, for more popular bots like ThreadReader, this amount would prove to be insufficient, as they require a tier permitting over 130,000 tweets monthly.
In addition to the entertainment and communication purposes it serves, Twitter has established itself as a premier source of real-time information during emergencies, such as the recent earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. Data scientists rely on the platform to produce heatmaps based on calls for help posted by affected individuals, helping rescue workers pinpoint locations that require immediate attention. Nevertheless, API changes instituted by Twitter have hindered such efforts, according to several data scientists.
The impending cessation of free access to Twitter's API spells further complications for crucial work such as disaster response. Hundreds of academics, researchers, and analysts have signed a letter addressed to Musk, urging Twitter to maintain free access for those utilizing the platform for social good. While Twitter must balance such concerns with maintaining a sustainable business model, the abrupt nature of these changes and the lack of clarity threaten to disrupt the workflows of numerous users and developers.
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