Before the Internet exploded, live video broadcasts involved very expensive technology only reserved for the media and which required cameras, antennas and even engaging a satellite to ensure correct coverage so that the broadcast would reach all the receivers. Though there are still many TV channels that continue using all of this, the development of the web has enabled us to reduce what we need simply to a connected smartphone and Twitter.

The 140 character social network was the platform of choice for various apps such as Meerkat to broadcast live events, taking advantage of its friendly use and easy access to a large amount of contacts. However, Twitter didn’t like it when Meerkat started becoming somewhat famous, and when others started doing business in its own home. For such reason, after Meekat’s triumph in the SxSW technology Conference in Austin, Twitter initiated its own battle to control the market, but using practices that have earned it with much criticism and that cast doubts on its corporate ethics.

1. Twitter purchases Periscope

This app, very similar to Meerkat, also enables live broadcasts from the iPhone. To the contrary of its competitor, Periscope does enable saving, recording, the broadcast. This app is Twitter’s bet to take over the mobile streaming.

2. Twitter "turns off the tap" for Meerkat

As it did with Instagram, the microblogging social network has cut off Meerkat’s access to its social data. In other words, this app is no longer shown when registering user accounts followed on Twitter. Though this may seem irrelevant, it implies that anyone creating an account on Meerkat has to start from zero: you follow no one and finding streaming requires a difficult process that was previously almost as simple as accessing Twitter’s timeline.

3. Twitter is pressuring celebs and editors to abandon Meerkat and use Periscope

According to that stated by the technology portal TechCrunch, the 140 character platform is contacting celebs and the media to have them use Periscope. To achieve this, Twitter would also have threatened celebrities with not allowing them access to Amplify, a service connecting Twitter with commercial television and that would involve setting aside their potential benefits.