X Shuts Down Nitter, XCancel Again Amid Legal Battle

Nitter and XCancel, two services that enabled users to view posts on X without an account, are offline once more following legal action from X. The XCancel website mentions a new development in the ongoing legal case, while Nitter’s site is inaccessible, and its code repository was archived on September 11, 2026. This recent shutdown marks another chapter in the ongoing battle between X and third-party services that bypass its platform restrictions.

These platforms allowed users to access X posts without needing an account, encountering ads, or being tracked. They first went offline after receiving a cease-and-desist letter from X’s legal team in August. The letter specifically cited concerns over unauthorized access to X’s content and potential violations of its terms of service. Despite compliance, the services briefly returned, only to face another suspension shortly after.

After a short comeback, both services are now down again. Nitter’s maintainer, Zedeus, had previously announced an update within a week, but no further information has been released. XCancel only stated, “We can’t give more details,” directing users to X for content. The lack of transparency has left users speculating about the legal and technical challenges these services face.

X has a history of employing legal measures to address perceived threats or misuse of its platform. In this instance, concerns likely arose from Nitter and XCancel displaying posts without requiring user accounts, JavaScript, or ads. This model not only bypassed X’s monetization strategies but also potentially undermined its data collection practices, which are key for targeted advertising.