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

In a significant move fueled by community sentiment, the r/cybersecurity subreddit will transition to a private forum from June 12th to 14th. This protest seeks to address Reddit’s recent modifications to its API policies, which have severely impacted third-party applications that many of us rely on for an enhanced user experience.

After careful consideration of community feedback, it is clear that a substantial number of members are urging Reddit to reconsider its stance on discontinuing support for third-party apps. As a result, if no changes are made to the current API restrictions, our subreddit will participate in a 48-hour blackout. During this time, users will not be able to access the subreddit unless they are existing members, and we strongly encourage everyone to refrain from visiting Reddit during this period.

This protest aims to send a message. Should Reddit fail to alter its API guidelines, we will consult with the community regarding our next steps—whether that means prolonging the protest or exploring alternative actions.

We invite everyone to brainstorm ideas for what the community could do during the blackout. Suggestions may include limiting new posts or comments, introducing members to alternative platforms like Mastodon, Lemmy, or Bluesky, or creating a dedicated thread for discussions during this time.

The response from Reddit could either restore trust through revised policies or further alienate users by removing moderators or enforcing a public setting on the subreddit, among other possibilities. Regardless of the outcome, serving as your moderators has been a privilege.

Additional Resources

For those seeking further understanding of the situation, please refer to the following links:
– A concise infographic on the API changes
– Discussion on the risks posed by the discontinuation of third-party apps
– An open letter detailing the impact of API pricing on moderation and communities
– A growing list of major subreddits participating in the blackout

Thank you for