X Issues Cease-and-Desist to Open-Source Initiative Nitter Amid Claims of Scraping Activities
Nitter, an open-source platform enabling users to read posts from X without needing to log in or use the app, has been served cease-and-desist warnings from X demanding its closure. This announcement was made via a short update on Nitter’s website and follows earlier attempts by X to disrupt the service technically.
In addition to its primary function, Nitter supports other sites like XCancel that provide direct access to view X posts.
This is not the first time X has attempted to shut down Nitter. In 2024, the main instance, Nitter.net, went offline briefly after X imposed new restrictions on its API. Nitter functioned by retrieving public posts from X and removing ads, tracking cookies, and JavaScript, allowing users to read content without needing an account or the application.
Following that incident, anyone looking to host a new Nitter instance had to link it to an actual X account, as stated on the project’s GitHub page. Nevertheless, development resumed, and numerous Nitter instances returned online.
Now, X is pursuing legal avenues to close Nitter and its instances. According to Nitter’s website, the project is currently offline while its creator, known as Zedeus, consults legal professionals after receiving the cease-and-desist notice. Zedeus informed TechCrunch via email that other instances of Nitter also received similar warnings.
On Nitter’s website, the following message is displayed:
“On August 24, 2026, cease-and-desist letters were issued by X Corp., demanding an immediate shutdown of Nitter instances and the project’s repository.
Currently, nitter.net is offline, and development has paused for the moment. I am looking for legal guidance and will not be providing further comments for now.
Thank you to everyone who has supported, hosted, contributed to, and donated to Nitter over the last seven years.”
The cease-and-desist letter, which has been reviewed by TechCrunch, accuses Nitter of improperly utilizing and bypassing X’s Application Programming Interface (API) and related data. It claims that Nitter has scraped data from X and accessed accounts and session tokens against X’s policies.
X’s legal representatives allege that these actions breach “various state and federal laws, including the Texas Harmful Access by Computer Act and the Lanham Act.” The letter instructed Nitter to cease operations by 5 p.m. EST on August 25.
X is not alone in its efforts to monitor alleged scrapers. Meta has also launched numerous legal actions against such services, and many major social networks now limit the use of third-party access, compelling users to log in through official applications where their activity can be tracked and personalized advertisements can be displayed.
This situation poses an unfortunate setback for users who prefer to follow certain accounts on X without an account themselves. With Nitter’s potential shutdown, users will either have to relinquish that ability or, as X seems to intend, create accounts and log in.
