Important Announcement: r/Cybersecurity to Go Private in Protest of Reddit’s API Changes
Dear Community,
We are reaching out to share an important update regarding the future of our subreddit, r/Cybersecurity. After careful consideration of community feedback from both our recent discussions and modmail, it has become clear that a significant majority of members are concerned about Reddit’s recent decision to restrict third-party applications and modify API access.
In response to these concerns, r/Cybersecurity will be going private for a 48-hour period, commencing on June 12th and concluding on June 14th. This decision aims to protest the changes that threaten the usability and accessibility of our platform. Should Reddit choose not to reconsider its stance on these API modifications, we will consult with the community to determine our next steps, whether that involves extending this protest or pursuing alternative actions.
During this blackout period, our subreddit will be inaccessible to both new members and unauthenticated users. We also encourage everyone to refrain from visiting Reddit altogether during these critical hours. If you have any suggestions on how we can effectively use this blackout—such as curtailing new posts and comments, introducing community members to alternative platforms like Mastodon or Bluesky, or setting up a general discussion thread—please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.
Outcomes from this protest are uncertain; Reddit may choose to reverse its course, or it might take further actions that could impact moderation and community trust. Regardless of the outcomes, we want to sincerely thank you for your ongoing engagement and support. It has truly been a privilege to serve as your moderators.
For those interested in understanding the context behind these decisions further, here are some valuable resources:
- Infographic summarizing the situation
- A detailed discussion about the importance of third-party applications
- An open letter addressing the implications of the API changes for moderators and communities
- [List of major Reddit communities participating in the blackout](https://www.reddit.com/r/ModCoord/comments/1401qw5/incomplete_and_growing_list
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Thank you for sharing this important update regarding the r/Cybersecurity community’s protest against Reddit’s API modifications. From a technical support perspective, if you need assistance with managing your own subreddit during similar blackout events, consider leveraging moderation tools such as setting up custom message bots, automating announcement posts, or utilizing moderation queues to control post and comment flow. Additionally, if your community is shifting to alternative platforms like Mastodon or Bluesky, ensure your integration processes (like cross-posting or API setup) are correctly configured to maintain consistent engagement. For specific issues related to API access or third-party tool disruptions, reviewing Reddit’s official developer documentation or reaching out through their support channels can often provide targeted guidance. Feel free to share any particular challenges you’re facing, and we can explore tailored solutions together.