On June 12-14, the r/cybersecurity subreddit will become private in response to Reddit’s API modifications and the shutdown of third-party applications

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

In June, r/cybersecurity will temporarily restrict access to protest Reddit’s API modifications and the discontinuation of third-party applications.

As many of you have expressed your concerns regarding Reddit’s recent changes to its API and the consequential impact on third-party applications, we feel it is necessary to take a stand. After reviewing feedback from various community members, we discovered a significant majority believes Reddit should reconsider these decisions.

In light of this, r/cybersecurity will be going private for a period of 48 hours, beginning June 12 and concluding on June 14. This protest will be enacted unless Reddit decides to reverse its API changes. Should the company remain steadfast in its approach, we’ll reach out to the community to discuss potential next steps, whether that involves extending our protest or exploring alternative actions. Ultimately, the direction we take will be determined by our community.

During this blackout, access to the subreddit will be restricted for new members and those without authentication. We highly encourage everyone to refrain from visiting Reddit during this time. We invite you to share your thoughts on how our community can best use this blackout period—be it by limiting new posts and comments, promoting alternative platforms such as Mastodon, Lemmy, and Bluesky, or creating a space for general discussions.

It’s uncertain whether Reddit will respond positively to our concerns or choose a more confrontational approach—potentially removing moderators or enforcing public access to our subreddit. Regardless of the outcome, it has been a privilege to serve this community as moderators.

For further context on the situation and implications of these changes, we recommend the following resources:

Share this content:

One Comment

  1. Hi, thank you for sharing this important update. If you’re experiencing issues accessing r/cybersecurity or participating during the blackout period, I recommend the following troubleshooting steps:

    • Ensure you are logged into your Reddit account and have the necessary permissions if the subreddit is private or restricted during this time.
    • If you’re unable to view specific resources or links, verify that your browser or network does not have restrictions or ad-blockers that might interfere with Reddit content.
    • For persistent access issues, try clearing your browser cache and cookies or using a different browser to rule out local caching problems.
    • If you want to stay updated on the subreddit’s status and community discussions, consider following Reddit’s official status page or community announcements through other social media platforms, such as Mastodon or Twitter.
    • In case you are looking for alternative communities or platforms to participate in cybersecurity discussions during the blackout, platforms like Mastodon, Lemmy, and Bluesky, as mentioned, are great options for real-time engagement and information sharing.

    If you encounter specific technical issues or need further assistance, please provide more details about your problem, and we’ll do our best to help you resolve them.

Leave a Reply to [email protected] Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *