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

In a significant move, the r/cybersecurity community will transition to a private subreddit from June 12th to June 14th in protest of Reddit’s recent API changes which have resulted in the discontinuation of third-party applications.

After thoroughly analyzing community feedback gathered from recent discussions and modmail, it is evident that a strong majority within our community is in favor of urging Reddit to reconsider its decision regarding the API adjustments. This decision has sparked concern regarding the future accessibility and functionality of various third-party platforms that enhance user experience.

If Reddit does not address these API changes by the commencement of our protest, r/cybersecurity will proceed with the blackout for a duration of 48 hours. Following this period, community members will have the opportunity to voice their preferences on the next steps—be it to extend the protest or explore alternative actions.

During the blackout, the subreddit will be inaccessible to new members and unauthenticated users. Additionally, we invite all participants to refrain from visiting Reddit during this time. We highly encourage the community to share their thoughts and suggestions on how we can engage during the blackout—whether it be by limiting new posts and comments or introducing alternatives like Mastodon, Lemmy, or Bluesky.

As we navigate this challenging situation, it is uncertain whether Reddit will adjust its stance or implement further measures that could harm our community trust, such as removing moderators or insisting on keeping the subreddit public.

In the spirit of transparency and information-sharing, here are some valuable resources to understand the implications of these changes further:

• Check out this infographic that succinctly illustrates the current situation.
• Read the post Don’t let Reddit kill 3rd party apps for more insights.
• Explore the open letter addressing the API pricing and its impact on moderators and communities.
• Keep up with the **[list of major Reddit communities joining the blackout](https://www.reddit.com/r/ModCoord/comments/1401qw5/incomplete_and_g