The Twitter Search API we have used for gathering data since 2010 appears to be gone. Is the academic API also gone? I have heard the price of access is prohibitive. What does this mean? Foremost, if you do research on Twitter data, back up everything you already have. If you have any Twitter datasets you are now an archivist with precious cargo. Limiting access to new data hinders the ability of researchers to understand the evolving ways in which the platform is used in ongoing information warfare operations, for example to exacerbate polarization in democratic countries and trigger future insurrections here in the United States. However, at the scale of, say a university or even all universities, there is a massive amount of stored data. One thing I notice about misinformation propagandists weaponizing Twitter is they like to stick with what they know already works. While we figure out how to access and study new data we should meanwhile be aware that the tactics previously used give important clues about what is coming. I don't think Mr. Musk bought Twitter to make money. So the concern for me is more about what other reasons would inspire him to overpay for a money losing business and then set about changing the user composition, researchers access, governance mechanisms, and other really important elements. I am worried specifically that the future power users able to pay for API access points will shape more of what goes onto the platform and shows up at the top of the feeds. The general trend is disconcerting and dangerous with proto-fascists running about banning books and Elon platforming white supremacists and their fellow travelers.