Just yesterday, Twitter implemented a temporary reading limit to address “extreme levels” of data scraping and system manipulation. Verified accounts are now limited to reading 10,000 posts per day, unverified accounts 1,000 posts per day, and new unverified accounts 500 posts per day.
This move, described as a “temporary emergency measure” by Elon Musk, came after thousands of users reported problems with the service, unable to retrieve tweets, missing timelines, or disappearing followers. Some users even encountered the message “rate limit exceeded” when they tried to view tweets.
Meanwhile, Reddit also experienced turbulence when it announced planned API changes which led to several third-party apps, such as Apollo, Sync, and BaconReader, shutting down. This was due to the cost implications of the API changes — as high as $20 million per year for some developers. The decision sparked widespread protests across the platform, with over 8,000 subreddits going dark in solidarity with the affected developers. Sadly, I don’t think much came of it.
So, what does this mean for the broader internet community? If this type of rate limiting and API pricing change becomes a norm across all social media platforms, the free flow of information on the internet could be significantly restricted, leading to a more siloed internet experience.
While these measures are likely intended to protect users and ensure a better platform experience, they also potentially limit the scope of data analysis and third-party app development, key elements in driving innovation in the digital space. It’s crucial that we find a balance, ensuring user safety and platform integrity without stifling the open nature of the internet.
These situations raise several pertinent questions:
How will these changes affect the average user’s experience on Twitter, Reddit, and other platforms?
What will be the impact on businesses and marketers who rely heavily on these platforms?
How will this influence the development and usage of AI technologies, considering that firms like OpenAI utilize Twitter’s data to train their large language models?
As we navigate these changing digital landscapes, let’s remember the importance of dialogue, transparency, and thoughtful policy in maintaining the openness and inclusivity of the internet.
What are your thoughts on these changes? Let’s discuss! 🌐
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