Twitter users encountered service disruptions on Saturday following the implementation of temporary limits by owner Elon Musk on the number of tweets that can be read per day. The tech mogul cited the restrictions as a measure to prevent unauthorized scraping of valuable data from the platform.
According to a tweet from Musk’s own Twitter account, verified users are permitted to view up to 10,000 tweets per day, while unverified profiles have a limit of 1,000. The number further decreases for new unverified accounts, which can only view 500 tweets.
However, on Saturday, Musk announced a significantly lower figure, initially restricting most users to 600 tweets per day, before updating the limit twice via tweets on his profile.
Following the announcement, thousands of users reported difficulties accessing Twitter on Saturday. Downdetector, a website that tracks online outages, recorded over 7,500 complaints at one point, indicating widespread trouble. The hashtag #TwitterDown trended in some regions as a result.
The service disruptions occurred shortly after Twitter implemented a change requiring users to log in to view tweets and profiles, departing from its previous practice of allowing open access to its content. Elon Musk’s purchase of the platform for $44 billion last year prompted the adjustment.
In a tweet on Friday, Musk described the new restrictions as a “temporary emergency measure” due to “data pillaging” that was negatively impacting the service for regular users. He later elaborated in a Saturday tweet, announcing that unverified accounts would be temporarily limited to reading 600 posts per day, while verified accounts could scroll through up to 6,000.
These limitations may result in users being locked out of Twitter for the day after surpassing a certain number of tweets. The higher threshold for verified accounts is part of an $8 per month subscription service introduced by Musk earlier this year to increase Twitter’s revenue, which has declined significantly since he assumed control of the company and implemented cost-cutting measures.
Changes allowing more controversial and offensive content on the platform have led to reduced advertising spending on Twitter. In an attempt to regain advertisers’ trust, Musk recently hired former NBC Universal executive Linda Yaccarino as Twitter’s CEO.
An inquiry from the Associated Press regarding the access problems on Saturday received an automated response from Twitter, featuring a crude emoji, indicating the company’s failure to address the question.
Twitter’s unresponsiveness to inquiries regarding access problems on Saturday reflects a recurring issue with the company’s communication. The crude automated reply featuring a poo emoji has been a common response to press inquiries, failing to provide meaningful answers or address the concerns raised.
The incident raises questions about Twitter’s commitment to transparency and accountability, particularly in light of the recent controversies surrounding content moderation and user safety. The platform has faced criticism for allowing offensive and harmful content to proliferate, leading to a decline in user trust and advertiser confidence.
Elon Musk’s efforts to revitalize Twitter’s revenue and attract advertisers through the introduction of subscription services and the appointment of a new CEO indicate a recognition of the challenges the platform faces. However, the service disruptions and lack of effective communication on Saturday further highlight the need for comprehensive improvements.
As Twitter continues to grapple with these issues, users are left to navigate the limitations imposed on their daily interactions. The tweet limits, though implemented to protect valuable data, can inadvertently hinder user engagement and the free flow of information that Twitter has long been associated with.
It remains to be seen how Twitter will address the service disruptions and enhance its communication with users and the press. As a prominent platform in the digital landscape, Twitter holds significant influence and plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse. Transparent and effective communication, along with robust measures to address content moderation concerns, will be vital in rebuilding trust and ensuring a positive user experience.
As users await solutions and improvements from Twitter, the incidents on Saturday serve as a reminder of the challenges faced by social media platforms in maintaining a balance between openness, safety, and user satisfaction. The evolution of Twitter under Elon Musk’s ownership will undoubtedly be closely watched, as the platform seeks to regain its position as a trusted and vibrant online community.