It seems that Elon Musk has made yet another critical move. Elon Musk this time limiting access to Twitter’s API for third-party clients such as Tweetbot and Twitterrific.
What is API?
Software interface that allows communication between two or more programs is known as an API. Twitter third-party clients make use of Twitter API to access the service.
Continue
According to internal communications, it appears that the social media giant has intentionally blocked these apps from accessing its API. A senior software engineer in one of the messages even stated: “Third-party app suspensions are intentional.”
Third-party Twitter clients have been not functioning since Thursday night, with developers not having any news, as reported by the Verge.
Users have been voicing their frustration over being unable to utilize Tweetbot, Twitterrific. And they are unable use other third-party apps to scroll through Twitter without having to use Twitter’s official software.
Paul Haddad, co-creator of Tweetbot, expressed his request for an official public statement via a Mastodon post on Sunday. Haddad noted that a considerable number of subscription renewals for the third year of Tweetbot are coming up in a few weeks. And he does not want to remove the app from sale and stop these renewals. Unless it is known for certain that the app is cut off permanently.
What are the disadvantages of limiting access to third-party client APIs for Twitter?
Limiting access to third-party client APIs for Twitter could have several disadvantages:
- Decreased user engagement: Third-party clients often offer unique features and functionality that are not available on the official Twitter app. Limiting access to Twitter’s API could result in decreased user engagement. It happens because users will no longer have access to third-party features.
- Reduced innovation: Third-party developers use Twitter API to create innovative apps that improve user experience. Limiting access to the API could stifle innovation and limit the ability of developers to create new and useful apps for Twitter users.
- Loss of revenue: Third-party apps often drive engagement on the platform, which can lead to increased advertising revenue for Twitter. By limiting access to the API, Twitter may see a decrease in revenue as users are less engaged and advertisers are less likely to advertise on the platform.
- Loss of trust and loyalty among developers and businesses: Limiting access to the Twitter API could make developers and businesses that rely on it to build tools and services feel betrayed. This could lead to a loss of trust and loyalty among these groups, which could be difficult to regain.
- Decrease in user retention and growth: If users are unable to access their preferred third-party clients, they may be less likely to continue using Twitter. This could lead to a decrease in user retention and growth for the platform.
- Decrease in brand reputation: If Twitter limits access to the API, it could be seen as an anti-developer and anti-innovation move which could damage Twitter’s reputation and brand image in the developer and innovation community.
Read more
Who could Elon Musk choose as Twitter’s Next CEO?
