r/Cybersecurity Goes Dark: A Community Stand Against Reddit’s API Changes
From June 12th to June 14th, the r/cybersecurity subreddit will temporarily go private as a unified stand against recent changes made by Reddit regarding its API policies, which have adversely affected third-party applications.
Following extensive discussions and feedback from our community, it is clear that a significant majority of our members disapprove of Reddit’s decision to terminate support for third-party apps and implement stringent API restrictions. We believe these changes will negatively impact user experience and community engagement.
If Reddit does not reconsider these new policies, r/cybersecurity will participate in a 48-hour blackout. During this time, new members and unauthenticated users will not have access to the subreddit. We strongly urge our community members to refrain from visiting Reddit altogether during this period.
After the blackout, we will seek your input on how to proceed. Whether to extend the protest, adopt alternative strategies, or explore other actions, your voice will guide our next steps.
We acknowledge that Reddit may choose to respond in various ways—either by reversing their decisions or taking measures that could erode the trust between moderators and the platform, such as removing moderation privileges or keeping the subreddit publicly accessible. Regardless of their actions, we want to express our gratitude for participating in this community and for trusting us to facilitate these discussions.
For those interested in further information about the ongoing situation, here are some valuable resources:
- Concise Infographic on Reddit’s API Situation
- Discussion on the Impact of API Changes
- Open Letter Addressing API Pricing and Its Effects
- List of Major Subreddits Joining the Blackout
As we take this stand, we want to ensure that our community remains informed and engaged. Share your ideas on how best we can make an impact during the blackout. Your creativity could help shape our approach, whether it be by promoting alternative platforms like Mastodon
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Thank you for sharing this important update. If you’re experiencing issues with subreddit visibility or access during the blackout, it may be related to user roles or privacy settings on your WordPress site. To support your community during this period, consider creating a dedicated support page or announcement post that guides members on how to stay informed and participate in alternative platforms like Mastodon or other messaging channels. Additionally, if your site links to external resources or hosts community discussions, ensure those links are clearly visible and accessible.
If you’re managing a community or forum associated with your WordPress site, you might also want to implement a temporary notice or banner informing visitors about the subreddit blackout and encouraging them to join alternative networks or stay tuned for updates.
For technical assistance, check that your redirect rules and privacy settings are correctly configured to prevent access issues during sensitive periods. If you need help setting up custom notices or integrating external communication tools, feel free to reach out with specific details.
We’re here to support you in maintaining engagement and providing a seamless experience for your community members during this important time.