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

In an effort to voice significant concerns regarding recent developments at Reddit, the moderation team of r/techsupport has decided to take a stand. On June 12, 2023, the subreddit will go dark for a minimum of 48 hours in protest against the platform’s newly introduced API pricing model, which threatens the existence of numerous third-party applications that enhance the Reddit experience.

The Impact of Reddit’s New API Pricing

On May 31, Reddit announced a drastic shift in its API pricing structure, transitioning from a free model to a prohibitively expensive one that many in the community believe will effectively eliminate popular third-party apps like Apollo, Reddit is Fun, Narwhal, and BaconReader. These applications have long provided users with invaluable features not available in the official Reddit app, offering an enriched and personalized browsing experience.

This change is not solely a concern for mobile users. Even those who access Reddit via desktop may find the functionality severely restricted, affecting extensions like Reddit Enhancement Suite and the classic old.reddit.com interface. Furthermore, subreddit moderators, who rely on external tools to maintain the quality and relevance of their communities, will be severely impacted as well.

Our Collective Protest

In light of these developments, the moderators of r/techsupport feel it is necessary to take action. While we understand that many users depend on our subreddit for troubleshooting and advice, we believe this protest is essential for the greater good of the community. We will be temporarily disabling access to the subreddit starting June 12, but our Live Chat on Discord will remain open for support during this period.

How You Can Make a Difference

We encourage our followers to join us in this effort by participating in the conversation around these developments:

Read and sign the open letter by visiting this link.
Spread the word on social media. Share your thoughts and help raise awareness about the potential loss of third-party applications.

We appreciate your understanding and support during this challenging time. Together, we can make our voices heard!