What is happening with Reddit? Can I still access it? Do I have to pay?

In a show of solidarity and protest, several Reddit pages and private subreddits have chosen to go dark in response to recent third-party charges. The move aims to draw attention to concerns regarding the platform’s handling of user data and privacy.

Why are Reddit pages going private?

The decision to make these pages private, effectively rendering them inaccessible to the public, comes as Reddit continues to face scrutiny over its policies and practices. Users are expressing discontent with the way third-party entities have been granted access to their personal information without explicit consent.

On Friday, Reddit chief executive Steve Huffman said in a post that it “needs to be a self-sustaining business” and addressed the blackout plan.

“We respect when you and your communities take action to highlight the things you need, including, at times, going private. We are all responsible for ensuring Reddit provides an open accessible place for people to find community and belonging.”

Huffman added that explicit content would remain on the site, but how it is accessed by third-party apps would be limited by Reddit.

The blackout is seen as a coordinated effort by Reddit communities to demand greater transparency and accountability from the platform’s administrators. By denying access to their content, these pages hope to highlight the urgent need for better user protections and data privacy measures.

What Reddit communities are included in blackout?

While some Reddit users support the blackout as a necessary step to address the ongoing issues, others have expressed frustration over the potential disruption to their online communities. However, proponents argue that the temporary inconvenience serves a greater purpose in safeguarding user privacy and forcing Reddit to address the concerns raised.

The blackout is said to include a total of 3,489 subreddits. These will include five of the ten most popular communities, namely r/gaming, r/aww, r/Music, r/todayilearned and r/pics. The membership in each of these is in excess of 30 million users and speaking to the BBC the point was made about the protest working due to “strength in numbers”.

“If it was a single subreddit going private, Reddit may intervene,” a moderator for one of these subreddits said. “But if it’s half the entire website, then you feel a lot more pressured.

“This is a completely volunteer position, we don’t receive any financial compensation, and despite that, we do like to take it quite seriously.”

What users want from Reddit

The decision to make pages private is reminiscent of past instances where online communities have utilised similar tactics to amplify their grievances and demand change. By organising collective action, Reddit users hope to prompt a response from the platform and encourage discussions around data privacy, user consent, and the platform’s responsibilities to its user base.

As the blackout continues, the spotlight remains on Reddit and its response to the concerns raised. The platform’s administrators are now faced with the challenge of addressing these issues, reassuring users of their commitment to privacy, and implementing necessary changes to restore trust within the Reddit community.

In the era of increasing digital awareness and heightened concerns over personal data protection, the actions taken by Reddit pages and private subreddits serve as a reminder of the power users hold in shaping the policies and practices of online platforms.