X Sends Cease-and-Desist to Open-Source Project Nitter Over Alleged Scraping
Nitter, an open-source project that allowed users to read X posts without logging in or using the official app, has received cease-and-desist letters from X demanding its shutdown. The move follows previous technical attempts by X to disable Nitter and marks a shift toward legal action against third-party services it claims are violating API usage policies. Nitter’s website states that development on the project is paused while its creator seeks legal advice after receiving the letter, which accuses the service of circumventing X's API and accessing user data in violation of company rules. The cease-and-desist gives Nitter until August 25 to comply with demands for a permanent takedown. X’s actions are part of broader industry trends where social media platforms like Meta have also taken legal action against scrapers, aiming to control access to their content and drive users toward official apps that enable tracking and ad targeting. The shutdown could inconvenience users who relied on Nitter as an alternative for reading X posts without creating accounts.
Topics: API restrictions legal action Nitter open source X