Following up on our article from a couple of days ago regarding the shut down of third-party Twitter access via apps like Tweetbot and Twitterrific, it seems as though it was done purposely by the folks at Twitter.
The Information reported yesterday that it was able to view Twitter Slack channels, which revealed that the closure of the Twitter API and overall Twitter access to these apps was done on purpose.
The shut down of the Twitter API has been going on since last Thursday. Still, there has been no official word from Twitter or its CEO Elon Musk on why this was done, nor has there been any sort of communication or prior warning to the developers of the third-party apps.
Not all third-party Twitter apps have been impacted by this, but the most popular ones that include Tweetbot, Twitterrific, and Echofon have been without access for days. However, Fenix for iPhone and iPad still appears to be working, as of this writing.
MacStories.net has called this whole incident “disgraceful.”
“To say that Twitter’s actions are disgraceful is an understatement. Whether or not they comply with Twitter’s API terms of service, the lack of any advanced notice or explanation to developers is unprofessional and an unrecoverable breach of trust between it and its developers and users.”
What has made third-party Twitter apps more preferred compared to Twitter’s own app is the fact that these apps tend to have a better overall design and look, have tweets in chronological order, and no ads or sponsored tweets from Twitter.
Third-party Twitter app users only made up about 1% of Twitter’s overall user base, so from the sound of it, it doesn’t sound as though it impacts too many of the users on those apps. Still, it is disheartening that the developers of these apps never received any sort of written communication from Twitter that this was even happening.
As of right now, there has been no word on whether or not Twitter will reconsider its decision or try to make a version of the Twitter API where, if anything, it does show sponsored tweets and ads on the third-party Twitter apps.
What are your thoughts on the potential or likely end of third-party apps for Twitter? Comment below or let us know on Twitter at @appleosophy.
