Strava announced in June 2026 that it is restricting website access and introducing a $11.99 per month flat fee for all developers using its API, as the fitness and social running platform moves to curb unauthorized AI data scraping ahead of a planned IPO.
Previously, visitors could view public profiles and fitness club listings on Strava without logging in. The company is now placing that data behind authentication to block automated scraping. On the developer side, Strava is replacing its free, tiered API access program with the flat monthly fee, though the company noted pricing may vary by geography. Developers have a 90-day grace period before the changes take effect.
Strava CEO Michael Martin said AI companies have repeatedly scraped the platform despite being turned away, degrading site performance in the process. “AI companies are ruthlessly scraping public websites, given their endless need for training data, which is degrading site performance across the board,” Martin told TechCrunch. He specifically named AI search startup Perplexity, saying it routed scraping through aggregator services to obscure its origin after Strava refused it a data licensing deal. Martin also cited server strain caused by poorly structured API calls from what he described as “vibe-coded” apps.
Strava also plans to retire certain API endpoints — access points that let third-party apps pull specific data such as club details — to further protect user data. The company had already tightened API rules in 2024, banning use of its data for AI training. Those earlier changes drew criticism from developers whose apps were affected.
To support structured AI integrations going forward, Strava plans to add support for Model Context Protocol (MCP), a standard that lets AI assistants access external data in a controlled way. The company’s developer community has grown from 185,000 members last year to 241,000 this year.
The timing may not be coincidental: Strava confidentially filed for an IPO earlier in 2026, and the data protection measures could signal data discipline to prospective investors. Unlike Reddit’s 2024 API crackdown, which charged per API call, Strava’s flat fee is designed to keep its developer ecosystem viable, Martin said. “We want the developers to continue to flourish and grow,” he added.
Source: TechCrunch