Several popular third-party Reddit apps, including Apollo and BaconReader, have shut down due to changes in Reddit's API rules. The apps' access to content on the website was cut off, and the developers were unable to cover the costs of API access. However, some apps, like Relay for Reddit and Now for Reddit, are adopting a subscription model to continue operating. Reddit announced in April that it would start charging for API access, prompting protests from communities and the temporary closure of some subreddits.
Reddit CEO Steve Huffman is facing backlash from moderators who are protesting his decision to increase the price of API access, effectively cutting off useful tools. Reddit has been threatening moderators of subreddits to force them to reopen, giving them ultimatums and warning of further action if they do not comply. Despite claims of making Reddit more democratic, Huffman's actions demonstrate a lack of willingness to listen to the community. Additionally, there are reports of Reddit admins helping to stage coups to oust protesting mods. As a result of the controversy, traffic to Reddit's advertising portal has noticeably dropped, raising concerns about the company's plans to go public.
Twitter will allow public institutions such as transit agencies and the National Weather Service to post large volumes of automated tweets for free, provided that the accounts doing so are "verified gov or publicly owned services." This comes after a backlash to Twitter's paid plans, which restricted third parties from easily accessing Twitter's application programming interface. However, it is unclear how Twitter plans to ensure that critical public safety and transit accounts will be "verified" without forcing institutions to pay for API access.
Twitter has removed the search field for unregistered users, forcing them to create an account to access it. The change comes after Twitter stopped offering free API access and cut API access to some third-party app developers. Meanwhile, Elon Musk hinted at the return of several old features, including Periscope, Vine, and Fleets, but didn't offer many details about the potentially upcoming product aside from saying that they're gonna be different from the "way it was done last time."
Reddit is planning to end free API access for third-party apps, which could lead to a transition to a paid subscription model for many popular apps like Sync, Relay, Boost, or RIF. The changes will allow apps to access Reddit, but they will have to pay for it, and app developers will likely pass that cost down to their users. The amount charged will depend on each app's usage and other metrics, and it remains to be seen how this will affect the vast selection of apps currently available.
Microsoft has withdrawn from Twitter after balking at the new fees for API access, which start at $42k per month for any more than zero pull requests on the "cheap" tier. Microsoft will still offer users of its Advertising platform the ability to spend their campaign cash across Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn channels. Elon Musk threatened to sue Microsoft for training "illegally using Twitter data." Twitter has not yet clarified what Musk meant by this.
