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Shortly after Twitter announced it would start asking developers to use its API, the company’s CEO Elon Musk is now backtracking on that decision somewhat. Over the weekend, Musk tweeted that afterwards respond to some feedback (opens in new tab)Twitter will offer a new “light, write-only API for bots” as long as they provide “good content that’s free.”
The the original plan was to charge users about $100 a month to use the API, allegedly to deter “bot scammers and opinion manipulators” from abusing the software (and presumably making some money to pay off the platform’s massive debts). In response, there was a massive outcry from users who said the new rules would kill many useful bots and fun, gimmicky accounts due to high fees, as much as $3,400 a year. according to a developer. (opens in new tab)
Who knows how this latest Twitter saga will eventually turn out, as many things about the platform are still uncertain at this point. But if Musk sticks to this new decision, your fave gimmicky Twitter account could live on, and it would all be thanks to Pepito the Cat.
Good content
Of all the feedback from this API debacle, the only post Musk responded to is directly one from @PepitoTheCat (opens in new tab). The person who ran the account argued that the new rules could kill it, earning it its place in Twitter history (joined more than a decade ago) and that it would provide “high quality content with high engagement” places.
While the content in question is nothing more than the titular Pepito entering and exiting his house through a small cat flap, it seems 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 may seem a bit silly to focus so much on a gimmicky account, it calls into question what Musk considers “good content” in his eyes. The fact that he responded directly to @PepitoTheCat and not a tormenting developer (opens in new tab) about how the changes would destroy research and activism projects on the platform refers to his thought process.
It could mean that content related to animals or anything other than milquetoast is considered good, while accounts like @ElonJet are bad despite not doing anything illegal. It’s hard to read anything because of how often Musk flip-flops on Twitter policies. In addition to the API, he had the platform ban journalists and links to competing social media sites; both cases met with an avalanche of backlash.
Tons of questions
There are still many questions in our minds, such as what does a “light, write-only API” look like and how will it compare to the paid version? The launch is still scheduled for February 9. Will the free bots created under the new rules also be moderated? This can be challenging as the company has laid off large parts of its business global moderation team (opens in new tab).
We’d ask Twitter for clarification, but the platform has no way for the press to contact them directly outside of directly tweeting Elon Musk – which we did. If Musk ever replies, this story will be updated at a later date.
If you’re still looking for that social media fix, check out TechRadar’s list of the best alternatives to twitter.