Twitter's plan to charge for crucial tool prompts outcry

[ificandream]

Source: Associated Press/BARBARA ORTUTAY

In the aftermath of the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria, thousands of volunteer software developers have been using a crucial Twitter tool to comb the platform for calls for help — including from people trapped in collapsed buildings — and connect people with rescue organizations.

They could lose access as soon as Monday unless they pay Twitter a monthly fee of at least $100 — prohibitive for many volunteers and nonprofits on shoestring budgets.

“That’s not just for rescue efforts which unfortunately we’re coming to the end of, but for logistics planning too as people go to Twitter to broadcast their needs,” said Sedat Kapanoglu, the founder of Eksi Sozluk, Turkey’s most popular social platform, who has been advising some of the volunteers in their efforts.

Nonprofits, researchers and others need the tool, known as the API, or Application Programming Interface, to analyze Twitter data because the sheer amount of information makes it impossible for a human to go through by hand.

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/twitter-api-eca5709035a08d2ebed8fac673809ea8?utm_source=homepage&utm_medium=TopNews&utm_campaign=position_08

[nuxvomica]

1. Desperate boundary-pushing by Musk

He wants to see how far he can push users before they stop paying. This is like TFG's "trial balloons", always testing how far he can go before he gets slapped. This is the behavior of two-year-olds.

[NullTuples]

3. Spoiled, privileged narcissists are the worst & capitalism boosts them right to the top

[KS Toronado]

9. Sure seems like it.

[dalton99a]

2. The Great Humanitarian Inventor doesn't give a shit

"Give me more money!!!"

[Ford_Prefect]

4. A bullying sociopath has no empathy...Nor any awareness that he is lacking same.

He's only in it for the money, after all.

IMO instead of worrying about the next self-imposed disastrous "improvement" of Twitter and the reprehensible side effects he produces, someone should be building the answer to real needs by real people.

Not another profiteering platform. Run it as a national service if necessary, like a natural resource.

[C Moon]

5. Well, I guess somebody has to pay for those Super Bowl seats, hot dogs and beers.

[Javaman]

6. Disaster capitalism at its finest. nt

[GB_RN]

7. WTF Is Wrong With Him?

Rhetorical question...

Seriously though, Musk's antics have taken a toll on the Tesla's stock over the last year. So, when will that company's board start to take some action? Their customers aren't the Reichwingers that Musk is hoping to attract at Twitter; they're the liberals he is chasing/has chased away. Even firing Musk as CEO of Tesla will only do so much in damage control. Tesla's image will take time to recover (if it ever does).

[Javaman]

12. everything. he's a sociopath. nt

[blm]

13. Exactly.

[truthisfreedom]

8. Hey Elon, you should probably get ahead of this.

35,000+ dead and missing is the worst disaster I can think of.

[Native]

10. MotherFucker was in Rupert's skybox at the game last night.

I hope they are working overtime to prepare that special place in hell for him..

[paleotn]

11. Man-child has to service that LBO debt somehow.

[Cha]

14. I've read it's a $1000 a month not

$100.. but either way it's not always easy for many to spend $100 extra a month.

TY

[blm]

15. Evil.

[rickford66]

16. When will Musk promote gladiator fights ?

He sure likes the thumbs up or down thing.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

17. How much is enough Musk?

Is he worried he won't be the world's richest man forever?