A Call to Action: r/Cybersecurity to Go Private Protesting Reddit’s API Changes

In light of the recent controversial changes made to Reddit’s API and the impact on third-party applications, the r/cybersecurity community is preparing to take a stand. From June 12th to June 14th, our subreddit will temporarily transition to a private status to protest these decisions. This move reflects the overwhelming sentiment among community members who strongly advocate for Reddit to reconsider its stance on APIs and third-party apps.

The decision to initiate this blackout stems from feedback gathered from our community members, indicating a collective desire for action against the new restrictions which jeopardize the functionality and accessibility of third-party tools. During this 48-hour period, our subreddit will be closed to new members and unauthenticated users, and we encourage everyone to avoid using Reddit altogether during the protest.

As we prepare for this blackout, we welcome suggestions from our community about how to engage during this period. Ideas may include limiting new posts and comments, introducing alternative platforms such as Mastodon, Lemmy, or Bluesky, or hosting discussions to keep the community engaged. The direction we take will ultimately depend on collective input.

This protest may prompt Reddit to reassess its API changes, but we also acknowledge the possibility of significant repercussions for our community. Regardless of the outcome, it’s been a privilege to serve as moderators, and we appreciate everyone’s involvement and support.

For further insights and background on this situation, consider checking out the following resources:

• A succinct infographic on the issue by r/videos
• Discussion thread: Don’t let Reddit kill 3rd party apps
• An open letter outlining the implications of API pricing
• A list of major Reddit communities participating in the blackout

Together, let’s make our voices heard!