Shortly after Twitter announced it would charge developers for using its API, the company’s CEO, Elon Musk, now somewhat disagrees with that decision. Musk tweeted this over the weekend afterwards respond to feedback (opens in new tab)Twitter will offer a new “lightweight, writable-only API for bots” as long as they provide “good content that’s free.”
The The original plan was to charge users around $100 a month for using the API, ostensibly to stop “bot scammers and opinion manipulators” from abusing the software (and presumably making some money to pay off the platform’s massive debt). In response, there was a massive outcry from users, who said the new rules would kill many useful bots and fun gimmick accounts due to expensive costs of up to $3,400 a year. according to a developer. (opens in new tab)
Who knows how this latest Twitter saga will ultimately play out as a lot of things are still unclear about the platform at this point. But if Musk stands by this new decision, your favorite gimmick Twitter account could live on, and it could all be thanks to Pepito the Cat.
good content
Among all the feedback on this API debacle is the only post Musk has directly replied to one by @PepitoTheCat (opens in new tab). The person running the account argued that the new rules could kill it, elevating its place in Twitter history (having joined over a decade ago) and that it posts “quality content with great engagement.”
Although the content in question is none other than the eponymous Pepito entering and exiting his home through a small cat door, it appears to have been enough to make Musk think twice about the rule change. Additionally, the impulsive CEO hints at giving verified Twitter users access to the “good content” API, similar to @PepitoTheCat, but doesn’t elaborate further.
While it might seem a little silly to focus so much on a gimmick account, it challenges what Musk considers “good content” in his eyes. The fact that he replied directly to @PepitoTheCat and no developer who tortures himself (opens in new tab) about how the changes would disrupt research and activism projects on the platform hints at his thought process.
It could mean that content related to animals or anything more milquetoast is considered good, while accounts like @ElonJet are bad despite not doing anything illegal. It’s difficult to read anything because Musk flips Twitter policies so often. Besides the API, he had the platform ban journalists and links to competing social media sites; Both cases were met with an avalanche of backlash.
Tons of questions
We still have a lot of questions in mind, e.g. B. What does a “lightweight, writable API” look like and how will it compare to the paid version? The launch is still scheduled for February 9th. Also, will the free bots created under the new rules be moderated? This could pose a challenge as the company laid off large parts of its staff global moderation team (opens in new tab).
We’d reach out to Twitter for clarification, but the platform has no way for the press to contact them directly, other than tweeting directly to Elon Musk – which we did. If Musk ever responds, this story will be updated at a later date.
If you’re still looking for that social media fix, be sure to check TechRadar’s list of the The best alternatives to Twitter.
