Twitter, now owned by Elon Musk, will begin charging developers for access to its API (Application Programming Interface) starting on February 9th, 2022. The API, which enables services such as TweetDelete and real-time data alerts from bots, will no longer be available for free.
The pricing details have not been disclosed yet, but more information is expected to be released in the coming week. Currently, Twitter offers both free and paid API options with varying levels of restrictions and enterprise features.
This change comes after Twitter updated its developer rules and banned third-party clients, causing popular apps like Twitterrific and Tweetbot to leave the platform. This move could also affect students, scientists, and other third-party users who utilize the Twitter API for research purposes. Many bots and tools utilizing Twitter’s free API access will need to charge a fee or be shut down.
APIs are utilized by developers to access data from applications and create new services. The Twitter API is utilized by thousands of developers for various tasks, such as setting reminders and monitoring changes to certain Twitter accounts.
Elon Musk has stated that the free API was being “abused badly” by “bot scammers” and “opinion manipulators” and believes that a $100 monthly fee for API access with ID verification will resolve the issue. However, it remains to be seen how much truth is there in this and whether charging a fee will actually solve the problem.
Since acquiring Twitter for $44 billion, Elon Musk has taken various steps to increase revenue, such as laying off almost two-thirds of the staff, charging $8 monthly for user verification, and selling company assets after closing offices in order to pay off loans and clear a mountain of debt.
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