r/Cybersecurity to Go Private: A Stand Against Reddit’s API Changes

From June 12th to June 14th, the r/Cybersecurity subreddit will temporarily transition to a private status in protest of Reddit’s recent modifications to its API policies, which have significantly affected third-party applications.

After carefully reviewing community feedback—both through our recent post and via modmail—it’s evident that a substantial majority of our members strongly oppose Reddit’s decision to restrict access to third-party apps. As a result, we are compelled to take action.

Unless Reddit reconsiders its API changes, r/Cybersecurity will participate in a 48-hour blackout, commencing on June 12th and concluding on June 14th. Following the blackout, we will gauge community sentiment regarding potential further actions, whether that be extending the protest or pursuing alternative avenues.

During the blackout, the subreddit will be inaccessible to new and unauthenticated users. We encourage all community members to refrain from visiting Reddit during this time as a show of solidarity. If you have suggestions on how our community can utilize this period—such as limiting new posts and comments or introducing members to alternative social media platforms like Mastodon, Lemmy, or Bluesky—please share your thoughts in the comments.

As we navigate this uncertain landscape, Reddit may either choose to acknowledge our concerns and make changes or take more drastic measures that could further erode trust, such as removing moderators or insisting that the subreddit remains public. Regardless of the outcome, we are honored to serve as your moderators during this critical moment.

For additional insights into the issues at hand, please refer to the following resources:

• A visual summary of the situation here.
• A discussion on the implications of these changes on third-party apps here.
• An open letter addressing the API pricing and its effects on moderators and communities here.
• A list of major Reddit communities joining our blackout can be found [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/ModCoord/comments/1401qw5/incomplete_and_growing_list