Strava Shifts to Paid API Model to Combat AI-Driven Data Scraping

Strava's move to charge developers $11.99/month for API access reflects a critical turning point in platform governance. With developer applications surging 448% year-over-year and scrapers degrading service performance, the company is prioritizing data protection over open access. This aligns with industry-wide trends—Reddit implemented similar paid API tiers in 2023—signaling that health and fitness data has become a sensitive asset requiring stricter controls in the age of AI.