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Sorry, but if we just look at the Google Maps API as an example, it would be a HUGE stretch to consider them a common carrier. The mapping data industry has hu

Sorry, but if we just look at the Google Maps API as an example, it would be a HUGE stretch to consider them a common carrier. The mapping data industry has huge competition right now. We're not even in the same realm of consideration for "regulation" of an API. That is ridiculous. The simple reality is that Google can control in any way shape or form how their API is consumed. Like I said, if you don't like that, don't build your business on the API. You do not have a right to anyone's API, regardless of how important the data is to your pet project or unicorn idea. This same argument comes up when the Twitter API consumers get all up in arms because the business they built solely on top of Twitter's platform is all the sudden deemed irrelevant because of API access changes or terms of service changes. Tough tootles! And guess what, your API scraping twitter feed re-display iOS app is not innovation! I personally think that "free APIs" are great, but if you don't have it in your business plan to share a portion of your revenue with external API data providers when they eventually ask, then you are going to get yourself in the position that the OP did.

iofj 11y ago
> We're not even in the same realm of consideration for "regulation" of an API. That is ridiculous. Why not ? Plenty of financial APIs are regulated (and beyond horrible). The government has decided that anyone with a banking license and a certain amount of money stored at the central bank can use them. And God help you if you try to use the international APIs, they are so incredibly incredibly horrible. Without this plenty of financial services wouldn't exist, no way would smaller banks be able to operate. Despite how badly designed it all is, without a doubt it is a very good thing that these APIs exist and are regulated. Maybe regulation of APIs is exactly what we need. Hell, maybe we can even learn from the mistakes in financial APIs first and then regulate these APIs.
sqeaky 11y ago
Attitudes like: > if you don't like that, don't build your business on the API. Are an impediment to progress when applied unilaterally as you are doing.

iofj 11y ago

> We're not even in the same realm of consideration for "regulation" of an API. That is ridiculous. Why not ? Plenty of financial APIs are regulated (and beyond horrible). The government has decided that anyone with a banking license and a certain amount of money stored at the central bank can use them. And God help you if you try to use the international APIs, they are so incredibly incredibly horrible. Without this plenty of financial services wouldn't exist, no way would smaller banks be able to operate. Despite how badly designed it all is, without a doubt it is a very good thing that these APIs exist and are regulated. Maybe regulation of APIs is exactly what we need. Hell, maybe we can even learn from the mistakes in financial APIs first and then regulate these APIs.

sqeaky 11y ago

Attitudes like: > if you don't like that, don't build your business on the API. Are an impediment to progress when applied unilaterally as you are doing.