In an effort to reduce abuse and fake engagement, Elon Musk’s X is removing access to two key features of its developer API for those on the free plan. Now, free users will no longer be able to use the API to like posts on behalf of a user, nor follow other users.
The company states these changes will help protect the X platform from spam, bots, and manipulative activities that degrade the user experience. Developers on paid plans, such as the Basic, Pro, or Enterprise tiers, will be unaffected. These plans also include access to more capabilities, higher rate limits, and support for a broader range of features.
While restricting access to some of the most common actions on X could help cut down on programmatic abuse, it could also push developers with legitimate businesses or projects who want to continue using these features toward paid plans.
X has made a number of significant changes to its API platform under Musk. The company initially ended free access with little developer warning, then later changed its mind to support some free usage. When its new API pricing arrived in spring 2023, it was clear the company had revenue generation in mind. Its most bare-bones basic plan would do little more than support those offering good bots, which are automated accounts that provide useful information like weather alerts.
Last October, X increased the prices for its basic tier as well, from $100 to $200 per month, and added higher limits.