Is the Spotify search API no longer available without authentication?

I have been using the Spotify search API for various projects over the years. It is always available for use without authentication.

Example: https://api.spotify.com/v1/search?q=kanye%20west&type=track

Now, starting just today, he answers as follows

{
  "error": {
    "status": 401,
    "message": "No token provided"
  }
}

      

        
        
        
      

    

I can't find anything stating that they changed their search API, but the docs now say that authentication is required.

Earlier it was stated that requests without an authorization token would be rate limited. Now he says a token is required. Does anyone know if they updated their API, or if this is a permanent thing? I find it hard to believe that they would make such a drastic change to their API without notice.