Twitter’s Decahose Data Service Now Requires a Monthly Fee

Introduction

Researchers who have relied on Twitter's Decahose data service now face a significant financial hurdle. They will need to pay $42,000 per month to continue accessing this valuable stream of data. This move marks a shift from the previously free access that enabled extensive research across various fields.

Decahose Data Service

Decahose is a streaming service offering researchers access to approximately 10% of all tweets in real-time. This data has been crucial for studies in areas such as emergency response, law enforcement activities, and the monitoring of political misinformation and extremism. The service has been instrumental in providing insights and supporting academic research worldwide.

Impact on Research

The introduction of a substantial fee for the Decahose service poses a challenge for researchers and academic institutions. Many projects that depend on this data may struggle to secure the necessary funding to maintain their research efforts. This change could potentially limit the scope of studies and impact ongoing and future research initiatives.

Conclusion

The decision to charge for access to Twitter’s Decahose data service introduces a new barrier for researchers. As they adjust to this financial requirement, the landscape of academic research utilizing social media data may experience significant changes. The ability to continue accessing this data will depend on the availability of resources and the prioritization of research projects that rely heavily on Twitter data.