X has sent cease-and-desist letters to Nitter, the open-source project that let users view X posts without signing in or using the official app. The move marks a new phase in X's long-running effort to limit third-party access to its platform.
Nitter's website says the main instance, Nitter.net, is offline while its creator, known as Zedeus, seeks legal advice. According to the project, other hosted instances also received similar notices.
The service became popular because it offered a cleaner reading experience by removing ads, tracking elements, and JavaScript from public posts. It also powered related viewers such as XCancel, making X content easier to browse across the web.
X's letter reportedly argues that Nitter used the platform's data and API in ways that violated its rules, and it set a deadline for the project to shut down. The company has previously tightened technical access, and Nitter's earlier comeback after API restrictions showed how resilient open-source tools can be.
The broader debate reflects a growing tension in digital media: platform control versus open access. As social networks continue to protect their ecosystems, users are increasingly pushed toward logged-in, app-based experiences. The outcome could shape how public content is accessed across the internet in the years ahead.
