Elon Musk says bots with ‘good content’ can use Twitter’s API for free

Elon Musk says Twitter volition fto bots providing “good content” entree the Twitter API for free. As noted successful a post connected Twitter, Musk announced that the level volition alteration a “light, write-only” API for eligible bots — a partial reversal of his argumentation that puts API entree down a paywall.

After shutting down third-party clients, similar Tweetbot and Twitterrific, Twitter announced past week that developers volition request to motion up for a “paid basal tier” to entree Twitter’s API starting connected February 9th. At the time, Musk justified the determination by saying that the escaped API is “being abused” by bot scammers and spammers, adding that an astir $100 per period subscription “with ID verification” tin “clean things up greatly.”

The move drew disapproval from developers and Twitter users who make and usage bots for a scope of purposes. While immoderate bots, similar Make it a Quote and Color Schemer, beryllium solely for entertainment, others specified arsenic Pikaso, Remind Me of This Tweet, and Thread Reader supply utile functions connected the site, including the quality to instrumentality screenshots, person reminders for definite tweets, and work threads successful a much organized layout. Many developers announced that they’ll beryllium shuttering their bots up of the February 9th deadline.

Although it seems similar Musk volition let immoderate level of escaped entree to Twitter’s API, galore questions remain. We don’t cognize what helium considers “good” content, and it’s unclear whether the argumentation volition use to bots created successful the aboriginal oregon conscionable the ones that beryllium now. Until Twitter makes an authoritative announcement regarding the change, the aboriginal of bots connected the tract remains successful limbo.