Twitter recently announced that it is shutting down free API access, which affects a number of public services Twitter accounts that provide important updates and information to the public.
Ever since Elon Musk bought Twitter, he’s been declaring that his ultimate goal is to rid the platform of bot accounts. This weekend, many accounts lost the opportunity to post breaking news and events because Twitter removed their API access, but they weren’t bot accounts.
API stands for Application Programming Interface, a technology that allows different software to interact with each other. The Twitter API enables developers to access core Twitter elements such as tweets, private messages, spaces, lists, users, and more.
Among the affected accounts is the well-known National Weather Service account, which provides continuous updates through manual and automated means, and as a result, they are now unable to provide up-to-date alert information. The account revealed that it is doing its best to provide general updates on the situation and is committed to ensuring that there are multiple ways to access the latest data and notifications.
The National Weather Service’s Tsunami Warning account also noted that it can no longer post tsunami-related updates, “Twitter is now restricting automated tweets, so this account can no longer post all tsunami alerts, warnings, watches and information statements. We will make every effort to continue posting manually.
Other important services, including the official account of the New York City Transit MTA and the San Francisco BART service, also shared their concerns about not being able to use the Twitter API.
Meanwhile, a number of automated accounts that are not part of public safety have also been affected by the Twitter decision.
Earlier this year, in February, Elon Musk announced that Twitter would stop providing free API access, saying that the free API was being “heavily abused” by bot scammers and manipulators to influence public opinion. The billionaire also said that charging $100 a month for API access would “go a long way toward solving the problem. However, Twitter’s new API currently starts at $42,000 per month (currently about RMB 289,000), which is a deterrent for many users.
