GitHub Introduces New Privacy-Safe Star History API Endpoint
GitHub has launched a new REST API endpoint designed to provide repository star history while protecting user privacy. Previously, GitHub restricted access to the stargazers list endpoint to repository administrators and collaborators to safeguard user identities. The newly introduced endpoint allows all developers to access the chronological accumulation of stars without viewing the specific users who starred the repository.
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| Aspect | Before / Alternative | After / This |
|---|---|---|
| Target Audience | Restricted to repository admins and collaborators only (post-2026 policy change) | Available publicly to all GitHub users and third-party tools |
| Data Output | Detailed list of individual user accounts who starred the repository | Aggregated chronological data showing star count trends over time |
| Privacy Level | Low privacy as individual user handles and profiles were exposed | High privacy with personal identification metrics completely omitted |
Action Checklist
- Review the official GitHub REST API documentation for the new star history endpoint Verify authentication requirements and rate limits for the new API
- Identify existing analytical tools or dashboards that rely on old stargazer endpoints Look for third-party widgets or custom scripts tracking repository growth
- Update data schemas to accommodate aggregated trend data instead of individual user lists Ensure your database does not expect unique user IDs from the new endpoint payload
- Deploy the updated API integration to production environments Monitor API responses to confirm trend lines render correctly without errors
Source: GitHub Changelog
This page summarizes the original source. Check the source for full details.
