> if I were to run a web forum then I must provide an API Realistically you're using Open source forum software like discourse that itself could provide an API

> if I were to run a web forum then I must provide an API Realistically you're using Open source forum software like discourse that itself could provide an API interface at an amortized cost. Expecting individuals to code it themselves (and follow standards etc) is a big ask. I don't think its a hard sticking point and the majority of the encouragement is for large providers.