Protest Against API Changes: r/cybersecurity Goes Private
From June 12th to June 14th, the r/cybersecurity community will temporarily transition to a private mode as a form of protest against Reddit’s recent modifications to its API policies and the impact on third-party applications.
Based on extensive feedback collected through comments and modmail, a significant majority of community members have expressed their discontent regarding Reddit’s decision to eliminate third-party app support and impose stringent API limitations. As such, the moderators have decided that if Reddit does not reconsider its position, r/cybersecurity will participate in a 48-hour blackout.
During this blackout period, the subreddit will only be accessible to existing members, effectively preventing new or unauthenticated users from accessing its content. We also strongly encourage members to refrain from visiting Reddit altogether during this time.
We invite community members to share their thoughts on how we should approach the blackout. Suggestions might include limiting new posts and comments, introducing discussions on alternative social media platforms like Mastodon, Lemmy, or Bluesky, or establishing a general chat thread to keep the community engaged.
The outcomes of this protest remain uncertain; Reddit may choose to reverse its API changes or take more drastic actions that could erode trust even further, including potentially removing moderation teams or mandating that the subreddit remain public against our wishes. Regardless of the outcome, we want to thank you all for being part of this community. Your engagement means a lot to us.
For more information on the ongoing situation and its implications, consider reviewing the following resources:
- Infographic explaining the changes – Credits to r/videos
- Discussion on the fate of third-party apps
- An open letter addressing the challenges of API pricing impacting moderators
- List of major Reddit communities participating in the blackout
Thank you for your continued support as we navigate this critical moment together.
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Thank you for sharing this detailed update regarding the upcoming privacy shift of r/cybersecurity. If you’re experiencing issues accessing the subreddit during this temporary private mode, please be aware that the community’s moderation team has intentionally restricted access to existing members only during the blackout period from June 12th to June 14th. Unfortunately, this means that new or unauthenticated users will not be able to view the content until the subreddit reopens publicly.
As a technical support engineer, I recommend the following steps:
Moving forward, if you have concerns about API changes or support for third-party applications, consider exploring alternative communication channels like Mastodon or Lemmy, as mentioned in the community post. Additionally, staying engaged through discussions on Reddit or participating in community-managed chat threads can help maintain your involvement during these challenging times