r/TechSupport to Go Dark in Protest of Reddit’s API Changes

In an important move for the Reddit community, the moderation team at r/techsupport has announced plans to temporarily darken their subreddit in reaction to significant changes in Reddit’s API pricing policy. This protest is set to begin on June 12 and will last for at least 48 hours.

Concerns Over API Changes

The moderation team has serious reservations about Reddit’s recent shift in policy that threatens to eliminate various third-party mobile applications cherished by users for their unique features and enhanced user experience. As announced on May 31, 2023, Reddit has decided to impose hefty fees for API usage, effectively endangering the viability of popular third-party applications such as Apollo, Reddit is Fun, Narwhal, and BaconReader.

While this alteration primarily impacts mobile users and app developers, it poses a broader threat to various customization options available to all Redditors, including popular tools like the Reddit Enhancement Suite and access to the old.reddit.com interface. This change is not purely a concern for users; subreddit moderators also rely on external tools to help maintain order and relevance in their communities.

A Call to Action

The r/techsupport moderation team firmly believes that these upcoming changes undermine the spirit of Reddit and could diminish the overall experience for its users. To voice their opposition, they will be suspending subreddit activity for a minimum of 48 hours. In solidarity with this cause, they encourage users to lend their support in various ways:

Sign the Open Letter: Readers can show their support by signing the open letter, which can be found here.
Spread the Word: Share your thoughts and encourage discussions around this issue across social media platforms. Raising awareness is crucial to making an impact!

While the subreddit will be temporarily unavailable, the moderation team has assured users that assistance will still be accessible through their Live Chat on Discord.