Twitter is only one of a very large & growing number of instances/servers out there.
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Twitter Confirms Third-Party Apps Like Tweetbot Were Intentionally Blocked
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This isn't about whether they should allow 3rd-party apps.
It's about giving a huge middle finger to users and (I guess now former) business partners instead of having the decency to a) make an announcement, b) give a transition period (however short), and c) be truthful about the reasons. And he wonders why advertisers don't trust him.
The shutting down, I understand. Although, personally, I would have tried to monetize users that care enough to pick an alternative client, first. But, hey, it's his right to shut it down, and it's the users' right to go somewhere else then …
Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Twitter actually purchase a third-party app early in its existence and basically rebrand it as its official app because their existing official app was so terrible?
Well, this makes it easy for me.
I was sick of their app loaded with ads, and was going back to Tweetbot which I paid for. However, this makes it easy. I'm just going to delete the app and get the time I wasted on Twitter back. Don't see the benefit of scrolling through pages of ads for news I can get on my Apple News app.
I really never thought Elon would screw it up this badly, but seems like they manage to blow another toe off daily.
I was sick of their app loaded with ads, and was going back to Tweetbot which I paid for. However, this makes it easy. I'm just going to delete the app and get the time I wasted on Twitter back. Don't see the benefit of scrolling through pages of ads for news I can get on my Apple News app.
I really never thought Elon would screw it up this badly, but seems like they manage to blow another toe off daily.
Yes you are right, they bought the Tweetie app by atebits.
Here's the official blog post from 2010 about it. https://blog.twitter.com/en_us/a/2010/twitter-for-iphone-1
YES! Here's One example.. Makes Facebook look like the old school way.
Twitter suspends Mastodon's account and bans links to Mastodon servers | TechCrunch
Twitter suspended Mastodon's account Thursday after the social platform shared a link to someone who tracks Elon Musk's private jet.
techcrunch.com
Twitter bans linking to Facebook, Instagram, other rival social medias platforms
Twitter users will no longer be able to link to certain rival social media websites, including what the company described Sunday as "prohibited platforms" Facebook, Instagram and Mastodon.
www.cbsnews.com
Several left-wing activists had their Twitter accounts suspended after a false-report campaign by far-right users
One of the users targeted told Insider they had found evidence of a coordinated campaign to get them banned from Twitter.
www.businessinsider.com
And now 3rd party clients. The Mastodon link ones were particularly hypocritical.
You may disagreed with Twitters policy before, but there was a policy. Now, it's whatever upsets Musk. Which is fine - he overpaid by $30B so should have some fun before it goes bankrupt.
Joined, thanks buddy!It doesn't really matter which server you are on. You can follow anyone regardless of which server they are on.
Just follow your favorite websites on Mastodon and you'll see their stuff in your feed.
BTW... the sites you've listed are on mastodon.online and mastodon.social but neither of those Mastodon servers are accepting new users at the moment.
So you'll have to find another server. I'm on mas.to
Happy tooting!
Same here. Started off using Tweetie before Twitter bought it, then moved to Tweetbot — bought/subscribed to every new major app update. They were my primary, and really, only reason I used Twitter. If this, in fact, means the death of Tweetbot, it will mark my days left on Twitter as their official app is hot garbage.
I don’t want to delete Tweetbot from my iPhone/iPad because I want to hold out hope the app will function again. Sadly, I’m not holding my breath.
Looking forward to supporting Ivory once it’s released. Even though I need to get used to Mastodon.
Until those third parties can prove their security against bots run by spooks and other government bad guys, this is what you get.
"bots"
they have been utilizing the API for 10+ years without any issue, "bots" is a lame excuse, and a patently false one at that, given that they have given no stated rule that was violated...
Maybe it wasn't "okay" for some but it was their choice just like Elon has a choice to ban 3rd party apps. Now look at the consequences for the developers and users. Apple obviously cared about those people while it's unclear what Elon cares about these days.
You sound like you're working on Elon's defense for court. Good luck.
Looks like he’s going to lose the other half of his fortune if he’s not careful… shame /s
I thought it was only a tiny percentage of Twitter that was using 3rd-party apps. Most usage is from the Twitter website and the official Twitter app.
I've never heard the theory that the Twitter bot problem was from 3rd-party apps.
Well I guess we'll find out the truth about bots... since 3rd-party apps are now disallowed.
Clearly you don't understand how the Twitter sign up process works. Blaming Bots on 3rd Party apps is the most ridiculous thing I've heard about this entire fiasco over the last week. Thanks for the laugh, I know I sure needed it.
Meh... no longer on Twitter and will NEVER go back.
If I can not use a web browser to access your services, then I do not access your services. Its that simple
And yes I do run ad blockers, tracking blockers, etc etc etc , and I also do NOT accept your cookies. These things are there for YOUR benefit, not mine.
I want my privacy and security, if you want MY money you have to play by MY rules, if you won't, someone else will.
Everyone can survive without you, you can not survive without us.
If I can not use a web browser to access your services, then I do not access your services. Its that simple
And yes I do run ad blockers, tracking blockers, etc etc etc , and I also do NOT accept your cookies. These things are there for YOUR benefit, not mine.
I want my privacy and security, if you want MY money you have to play by MY rules, if you won't, someone else will.
Everyone can survive without you, you can not survive without us.
Tweetdeck if I recall was third party then Twitter killed it off bit by bit absorbing some bits into their own client if memory serves
Let's just let this dumpster fire burn out naturally and move on. Quit twitter if you have to -- better, delete your account. That'll help send a message better than posting in this forum. Seriously.
Been a Tweetbot user practically since its inception and was already annoyed Twitter killed off some features for third-party apps back in 2018 long before Musk -- but this, this here? what the actual F. This is just bad business.
Been a Tweetbot user practically since its inception and was already annoyed Twitter killed off some features for third-party apps back in 2018 long before Musk -- but this, this here? what the actual F. This is just bad business.
I think the folks using the 3rd Party apps are the ones that have been on Twitter the longest. I'd assume most folks within the last few years, maybe even since around 2016 or so, probably didn't even realize there were 3rd Party apps. Most folks just doomscroll and then move on.. "Why look into having ANOTHER way to look at the same thing? And Pay for it? No thanks" That's my 2 cents, anyway.I thought it was only a tiny percentage of Twitter that was using 3rd-party apps. Most usage is from the Twitter website and the official Twitter app.
I've never heard the theory that the Twitter bot problem was from 3rd-party apps.
Well I guess we'll find out... since 3rd-party apps are now disallowed.
This is a good question, with nuance. What is defined as usage? I mainly used Twitter from the web and official app, almost never posted (I think similar to the vast majority). But, I always got the feeling the heavy content creators were often using 3rd party clients for ease of multi-account, timed posts, tracking, etc... Twitter needs to be careful not to inadvertently kick off the relatively small number of creators, because then they'll lose the vast majority of users who are simply lurkers.
Case in point, all the people I followed moved to Mastodon. I setup an account there and see my same follows and only head over to Twitter when given a direct link to something. Twitter didn't do anything to directly push me off, but they pushed off the people I followed so I went to where they were.
I'm sure there are no binding contracts between Twitter and API consumers. In the end, anyone can sue anyone for anything, but I'm sure there are exactly no grounds for meaningful legal action here. I think these 3rd party apps are great apps but are they a great business? Putting aside general emotion and vitriol re: Twitter, these 3rd party apps are just redressing a service provided by another entity which — to me — doesn't sound like a sustainable model, regardless of how good or useful they are or how much traction they garner.