The developer of the popular Apollo app, which allows users to browse Reddit on iPhonesmay be forced to shut down due to Reddit’s new API pricing terms. Christian Seligthe creator of the app, explained that it would now cost him $20 million a year to maintain operations.
In April, Reddit changed its API policy to limit API requests from external clients like Apollo. According to Selig, Reddit plans to charge about $12,000 for every 50 million requests.
Reddit had promised developers that the API pricing changes would not affect those building apps to help users use Reddit.
“Had a chat with Reddit to discuss pricing. Bad news for third-party apps, their announced pricing is close to Twitter’s pricing, and Apollo would have to pay Reddit $20 million a year to keep running as it is,” reads the Reddit post.
However, Selig contradicts Reddit’s comment to protect its forum from companies using excessive internet data to train AI systems. Reddit founder and CEO, Steve Huffmanexplained in an interview with The New York Times that the company is seeking financial compensation for its “corpus of data”.
“I am deeply disappointed in this award,” Selig writes. While Reddit has been cooperative and respectful throughout our discussions, Selig says he has a hard time understanding their suggested pricing. It seems completely unrealistic and unfair, Selig adds. “I hope it goes without saying that I don’t have that kind of money or even know how to take it off a credit card.”
According to a post on Reddit, the developer was told that 50 million requests will now cost $12,000 under the terms of the new API, which is a much higher figure than he expected.
Limiting app availability to subscribers isn’t working because of high user requests, Selig said. The cost of $2.50 per user per month is more than double the current subscription cost.
“Apollo made 7 billion requests last month, which would amount to about $1.7 million a month, or $20 million a year,” Selig said.
Apollo users have expressed their disappointment and frustration with the news. They accuse Reddit of greed and some even threaten to leave.
FacebookTwitterLinkedIn
end of article
