R/Cybersecurity to Go Private in Response to Reddit’s API Changes: Community Outcry

From June 12th to 14th, the r/cybersecurity subreddit will temporarily go dark as part of a protest against Reddit’s controversial changes to its API, which impact third-party applications. Following extensive discussions within the community, it’s clear that a significant majority are unhappy with these alterations and wish for Reddit to reconsider its stance.

If Reddit does not retract or adjust its recent API policies by the start of the blackout, r/cybersecurity will join the solidarity actions and restrict access for 48 hours. During this time, newly joined members and those without authentication will be unable to view the subreddit. Moreover, community members are encouraged to refrain from visiting the site altogether during this period.

We invite everyone to share their thoughts on possible actions during the blackout. Suggestions have included limiting new posts and comments, introducing alternatives such as Mastodon, Lemmy, or Bluesky, or creating threads for community discussions. Ultimately, the direction of our actions will be determined by community consensus.

Regardless of Reddit’s response—whether it be a retreat from its recent decisions or aggressive moves that further diminish trust, such as removing moderators or enforcing public access—the moderators will continue to serve this community with pride.

For further insights into the ongoing situation and its implications, here are some valuable resources:

• An informative infographic courtesy of r/videos
• A post detailing the impact of API changes on third-party apps
• An open letter addressing API pricing issues and their effects on communities
• A growing list of major Reddit communities participating in the blackout

Let’s unite to safeguard the integrity of our community and voice our concerns about the future of Reddit as a platform.