Important Announcement: r/cybersecurity to Go Private in Protest of Reddit’s API Changes

From June 12th to June 14th, the r/cybersecurity subreddit will temporarily transition to a private setting in response to Reddit’s controversial changes regarding its API policies, which threaten the existence of third-party applications.

In light of the overwhelming feedback we’ve received through community discussions and modmail, it’s clear that many members feel strongly about the need for Reddit to reassess its recent decisions concerning API limitations. As it stands, if Reddit does not reconsider these changes, r/cybersecurity will participate in a 48-hour blackout starting on June 12th.

During this period, our subreddit will be inaccessible to non-members and users without an authenticated account. We encourage everyone to refrain from using Reddit altogether during the blackout. This action is a collective stand, and we want to hear your thoughts on potential activities for our community during this time. Ideas such as limiting new posts and comments, promoting alternative social media platforms like Mastodon, Lemmy, or Bluesky, or even creating a general discussion thread are all welcome.

The future of our subreddit is uncertain. Reddit could decide to reverse its course, or it might take further drastic actions that could undermine the trust between the platform and its users, such as dismissing moderators or enforcing public visibility for our community. Regardless of the outcome, it’s been a privilege to serve as your moderators and caretakers.

For more details on the situation and its implications, you may find the following links valuable:

• A concise infographic outlining the key issues (courtesy of r/videos)
• An informative discussion on why we must preserve third-party applications
• An open letter addressing the pricing of API usage and its impact on moderators and communities
• A list of other major Reddit communities participating in the blackout

Thank you for your continued support and involvement in our community during these challenging times. Stay tuned for updates and please share your ideas in the comments below.