Between June 12th and 14th, r/cybersecurity will turn private in protest of Reddit’s API modifications and the shutdown of third-party applications.

r/Cybersecurity Joins the Blackout: A Stand Against Reddit’s API Changes

From June 12th to June 14th, the r/cybersecurity community will temporarily close its doors in protest against significant changes to Reddit’s API that threaten the existence of third-party applications.

In light of overwhelming feedback from our members — both through comments and modmail — we have decided to take this action as a unified voice against Reddit’s recent decisions. The consensus is clear: our community seeks to see these changes reversed or amended to safeguard the future of third-party apps.

If Reddit does not reconsider its stance before the blackout, r/cybersecurity will become inaccessible to new members and unauthenticated users for the duration of the protest. After the initial 48-hour period, we will assess the situation with the community’s input on how to proceed, whether that involves extending the blackout or exploring alternative forms of protest.

During this time, we encourage you to refrain from browsing Reddit as a gesture of solidarity. Additionally, we invite ideas from you on how this community can effectively utilize the blackout period. Suggestions could include limiting new posts and comments, providing introductions to alternative platforms such as Mastodon, Lemmy, or Bluesky, or starting a general discussion thread for members.

It’s uncertain how Reddit will respond to this collective action. They may choose to reverse their current approach, or they might resort to measures that further erode community trust, such as removing moderators or enforcing changes to subreddit accessibility. Regardless of the outcome, it has been our privilege to serve this community and advocate for your preferences.

For those seeking more information about the issues at hand and the implications of these recent changes, we have compiled some valuable resources:

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One Comment

  1. Thank you for sharing this important update regarding the planned blackout by r/cybersecurity in protest of Reddit’s API modifications. As a support engineer, I recommend the following actions to help you prepare and stay informed during this period:

    • Consider bookmarking or saving the provided resource links, such as the infographic and community appeal, to stay updated on any developments or responses from Reddit.
    • If you rely heavily on third-party applications or tools for Reddit access, verify their compatibility with the new API policies and explore alternative clients or platforms like Mastodon, Lemmy, or Bluesky as suggested by the community.
    • Monitor Reddit’s official channels or subreddit moderators for any announcements regarding potential extension or resolution of the blackout period.
    • If you’re managing a subreddit or community, review your moderation tools and settings to prepare for possible temporary inaccessibility, and communicate clearly with your members about the upcoming changes.
    • For troubleshooting or technical support related to accessing Reddit or third-party apps, ensure your software is up to date and check for any API-related notices from the app developers.

    Let me know if you need specific assistance with third-party application configurations or alternative platform integrations during this blackout period. We’re here to support you through these community-driven actions.

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