Twitter’s plan to charge for crucial tool prompts outcry

UNDATED (AP)- 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 people posting their location inside collapsed buildings — and connect people with rescue organizations to help them. On Monday (Feb. 13, 2023), though, they could lose access to this tool unless they pay Twitter a monthly fee of at least $100 — prohibitive for many volunteers and nonprofits on shoestring budgets. Monday is the extended deadline Twitter set for shutting off free access to its API, or Application Developer Interface.