Twitter Accuses Microsoft Of Breaking Rules For Developers

News Desk

San Francisco: Twitter accused Microsoft of breaking the social network’s rules for developers who access the platform’s data.

“Microsoft may have violated multiple provisions of the agreement for an extended period,” read the letter signed by Musk’s attorney Alex Spiro and sent to Microsoft Chief Executive Satya Nadella.

Microsoft stopped accessing Twitter data in April, opting not to pay fees. Musk demanded developers pay for APIs (application programming interfaces) that engage with the platform, according to the letter.

Twitter called on Microsoft to identify all Twitter content that has been in its control during the past two years, how it is stored, and what has been done with it, according to the letter sent to Nadella.

“We will review these questions and respond appropriately,” Microsoft Spokesperson said in response to an AFP inquiry.

Twitter said in the letter it is looking into whether Microsoft exceeded the “reasonable request volume” in what could constitute “abusive usage”.

Twitter wants the information by June 7, the letter stated. The demand comes as Elon Musk looks to generate revenue by getting developers to pay for free Twitter platform access before the billionaire takes over.

Last month, Musk fired off a tweet accusing Microsoft of illegally using Twitter data to train artificial intelligence, writing, “Lawsuit time”.

Big tech companies like Google, Meta, and Microsoft have spent years working on AI systems—previously known as machine learning or big data—to help with translations, search, and targeted advertising.

Microsoft is investing billions of dollars in ChatGPT creator OpenAI and has put its technology to work in its Bing internet search service.

Since taking over Twitter in late October, Musk has repeatedly courted controversy, sacking most of its staff, readmitting far-right figures to the platform, suspending journalists, and charging for previously free services.