The Twitter API

On February 2nd, it was announced, with almost no notice, that Twitter would discontinue its free API and start charging for access.

Starting February 9, we will no longer support free access to the Twitter API, both v2 and v1.1. A paid basic tier will be available instead 🧵

— Twitter Dev (@TwitterDev) February 2, 2023

This was met with universal scorn from the development community, and the changes were postponed, first on the eighth until February 13th, and then on the 13th for "a few more days"

We have been busy with some updates to the Twitter API so you can continue to build and innovate with us. We’re excited to announce an extension of the current free Twitter API access through February 13. Here’s what we’re shipping then 🧵 — Twitter Dev (@TwitterDev) February 8, 2023

There has been an immense amount of enthusiasm for the upcoming changes with Twitter API. As part of our efforts to create an optimal experience for the developer community, we will be delaying the launch of our new API platform by a few more days. More information to follow… — Twitter Dev (@TwitterDev) February 13, 2023

Six weeks later, on March 30th, three new access tiers for the API were introduced, to begin on April 29th

Introducing a new form of Free (v2) access for write-only use cases and those testing the Twitter API with 1,500 Tweets/month at the app level, media upload endpoints, and Login with Twitter.

Get started: https://t.co/CqCRD3vbE5

— Twitter Dev (@TwitterDev) March 29, 2023

This new api would consist of 

• A Free tier for posting only, with a limit of 1,500 a month
• A Basic tier for hobbyists with a limit of 50,000 posts a month, for $100 a month
• An Enterprise tier with a limit determined by the needs of the company, at $42,000 a month

IMO, these charges will destroy the twitter development ecosystem. Most automated accounts, including the official Irish Abroad account @irish_abroad, will blow through the 1,500 limit before the end of the month
Additionally, no hobbyist can afford $1,200 a year, and this has already led to the end of many popular bots on the site, and will also affect third party clients
The cost of the enterprise tier is so great, that even Microsoft has said they will not pay for it

I'm making some changes to the code the posts the birthday, #OnThisDay, and remembrance tweets and they will continue as normal.
How will this affect the live updates? Well, from this coming Saturday, they will have to be reduced to stay under the monthly limit. The goals and red cards will still be posted.
The daily summaries and team of the round tweets will continue.
No lineups. No assists. No bookings. No end of game summaries

If the account is still under the limit, or the limits are altered, these changes will be reviewed, and some updates will return.

Further Reading

Microsoft drops Twitter from its advertising platform