Twitter Will Tag Developers To Access The API Starting Next Week

Twitter will start billing developers if they want access to their APIs. (photo: Twitter @twitter_support)

JAKARTA - Twitter will begin billing developers if they want access to their APIs, an important tool that supports popular services such as TweetDelete and bots that send users asking for data in real time.

The microblogging site, which billionaire Elon Musk acquired last year, announced via its Dev Twitter account that it no longer supports free access to its APIs, both versions 1.1 and 2, starting February 9.

Starting February 9, we will no longer support free access to the Twitter API, both v2 and v1.1. A paid basic tier will be available instead 🧵

— Twitter Dev (@TwitterDev) February 2, 2023

Instead, of course third-party services wishing to use the Twitter API should subscribe, but they haven't disclosed how much it costs.

Twitter has been experimenting with new ways to make more money since Musk took the lead. The biggest change so far is Twitter Blue, which has grown into an $8 to 11 subscription service per month. By subscribing to Twitter Blue, users can buy a blue tick from the website.

"Over the years, hundreds of millions of people have sent more than a trillion Tweets, with billions more each week," tweeted @TwitterDev.

" Twitter data is the most powerful data set in the world. We are committed to enabling rapid and comprehensive access so that you can continue to build with us."

Musk responded with a tweet, saying, "Free API is being misused now by bot scammers and opinion manipulators. There is no verification process or cost, so it's easy to turn 100 thousand bots to do bad things. Only ~$100/month for API access with Verification ID will be very clear of everything," Musk said.

API is a software used by third-party developers to access data from apps and use them to create new services, as quoted by CNBC International, Friday, February 3.

The Twitter API, which is available in free and paid versions, is used by thousands of developers for things from setting reminders to sharing alerts about changes to certain Twitter accounts.

Meanwhile, researchers used the tool to track hate speech and misinformation online. The Twitter API was also used by Dataminr news gathering services to notify journalists about the information that appeared on Twitter in real time.

Previously, Twitter had locked third-party programs such as Tweetbot and Twitterrific of its API. Users and developers have also complained that some third-party apps are becoming unusable.

Since Musk took control of as CEO of Twitter, he has tried to cut costs dramatically and boost monetization.

A report from the NYTimes from last year stated that Musk and his advisers also discussed the possibility of adding direct paid messages and videos behind paywall.

In fact, they are considering bringing Vine back to life, its short-form video app that closed in 2016. Musk has explored all possible sources of revenue to be able to pay off the loans he took when he bought Twitter for $44 billion.