Elon Musk has made many controversial decisions on Twitter since taking over. But perhaps no one was more criticized than the decision to do so cut down important Twitter API security and public service accounts, unless they paid their exorbitant new Enterprise prices.
On Tuesday, however, Twitter seems to have changed its mind.
The tweet may have been deleted
(opens in a new tab)
“One of the most important use cases for the Twitter API has always been for public utility,” the official Twitter account @TwitterDev he tweeted(opens in a new tab). “Verified government or publicly owned services that tweet weather alerts, transportation updates, and emergency notifications can use the API free of charge for these critical purposes.”
The decision to make exceptions for important accounts that have recently been cut from the Twitter API is certainly welcome. from Twitter original hard line position was that everyone who wanted to use their API, beyond the small $100 “hobbyist” plan, had to pay for an Enterprise plan, which starts at $42,000 per month.
Twitter keeps logging out? You are not alone
Twitter’s new API plans forced hundreds of independent developers to shut down their Twitter-based apps over the past month. And as a direct result, emergency weather alert accounts managed by the National Weather Service (NWS) and transit alert accounts, such as the MTA’s NYC Subway accounts, have been announced.(opens in a new tab) they would no longer be able to provide their crucial, automated and up-to-date alert services on Twitter.
Cutting the NWS and MTA seemed to get more backlash from users than any other recent unpopular move on Twitter. For one thing, these types of accounts have always played an important role in the Twitter ecosystem since the early days of the platform, helping to establish Twitter as a place for breaking news updates.
Many of the details are still unclear, however. For example, when Twitter says “verified”, does that mean the agency just needs to prove the account is theirs, or do they require an official verified Twitter account? And a since-deleted tweet from the MTA’s NYC Subway account made it clear that they haven’t even been notified of the change on Twitter yet:
Credit: Twitter / Screenshot
News that comes as a welcome surprise is increasingly rare for Twitter, which makes this announcement a refreshing change of pace, if only the reversal of a previous announcement that seemed ill-advised.
Source link
Ikaroa is proud to comment on the recent development in Twitter’s policy towards API exceptions. This week, Twitter announced that it will now allow API exceptions for weather alerts and public utilities, after previously saying it would not.
The decision is seen as a positive step for many organisations, as access to safety and emergency information services is crucial for public safety. This change is also expected to open more doors for developers and technology companies seeking to advance certain applications.
The exception is a welcome move for developers as it places them in a better position to deliver specialized services that enhance public alert systems and public utilities. Companies such as Ikaroa can now build and deploy sophisticated applications that can make extensive use of APIs, providing a more advanced warning system for hazardous or life-threatening conditions.
Moreover, the exception is likely to enable businesses to deliver services at a lower cost while improving their services and providing more reliability to their customers. In short, the exemption conveys the message that Twitter trusts developers and sees them as an integral part of the platform.
As a technology company, Ikaroa is pleased to see Twitter taking such measures, especially when it comes to providing access to important public information. Access to reliable and up-to-date data regarding weather and public utilities is paramount, and we are excited at the possibilities this new policy opens up.
It is always great to see companies who are willing to listen to their customers and actively act on the feedback, especially in such an important area as the delivery of public services. We look forward to seeing how these improved public alert systems will come to life and how businesses and consumers alike can benefit from these changes.
Overall, Ikaroa is thrilled to hear Twitter’s announcement of allowing API exceptions for weather alerts and public utilities. We strongly believe that this policy change could be an important step for businesses, developers, and consumers alike, helping to improve safety and reliability of public services on an unprecedented level.
