I don't think they actually shut down the API, they just revoked the API keys for popular third party apps. If you're using the API to build something other tha

I don't think they actually shut down the API, they just revoked the API keys for popular third party apps. If you're using the API to build something other than a replacement for the official app, then I believe they still allow you to use it. If they did shut down the whole API I was ready to make an argument about how public APIs can be costly to maintain because they're not used by first party software. But again, that's not the case, so I think we're left with the ads explanation.