Thousands of Reddit discussion forums have been rendered inactive as a form of protest against a recently introduced policy. This policy entails charging certain third-party applications for accessing data on the platform, raising concerns about content moderation and user accessibility.
Numerous subreddits expressed their discontent on the platform’s homepage, stating, “Reddit is jeopardizing third-party applications (and its own existence).”
The imposition of these new fees is part of a larger set of modifications to Reddit’s application programming interface (API), as officially announced by the company.
RELATED STORIES
- Despite widespread opposition, Reddit CEO asserts that the company will not engage in negotiations regarding charges for third-party apps.
The organizers of the blackout, initiated on Monday, argue that Reddit’s recent changes pose a threat to vital means of customizing the platform, which heavily relies on the voluntary efforts of moderators. These subreddit “mods” often utilize external tools to combat spam, hateful content, and enhance accessibility, among other things, outside of the official Reddit application.
The boycott tracker indicates that nearly 9,000 subreddits went offline during this week, and as of Friday, over 4,000 remained inaccessible. Prominent communities such as r/music and r/videos, with millions of subscribers, were among those affected. While some subreddits reverted to their public state after 48 hours, others have expressed their intention to remain private indefinitely until Reddit addresses their demands.
However, Reddit, a subsidiary of New York-based Advance Publications, remains steadfast in its decision. CEO Steve Huffman argues that supporting third-party developers with high usage demands to access Reddit’s data is financially unsustainable. The company clarifies that the new fees will solely apply to eligible apps that require extensive usage limits, and the majority of API users will not be required to pay for access.
To provide some context:
API stands for Application Programming Interface, which enables different computer programs to communicate with each other. In the case of Reddit, the API allows third-party developers to utilize its data and create applications that integrate with the platform.
Previously, Reddit provided free access to its API, allowing third parties to request data and develop apps that interact with Reddit. However, the recent changes by Reddit entail altering the accessibility of third-party apps to the platform.
You are correct. Reddit had previously announced its intentions to modify its API access policies earlier this year. Commencing on July 1st, the platform intends to implement charges for third-party applications that necessitate higher usage limits. This shift signifies a departure from the previous practice of providing free access to the API for all third-party developers.
In an interview with The Associated Press, CEO Steve Huffman emphasized the financial considerations behind Reddit’s decision. He highlighted the substantial expenses incurred by Reddit in supporting high-usage third-party apps, amounting to millions of dollars. Huffman expressed the desire for Reddit to become a self-sustaining company, ensuring its long-term viability and defense against challenges.
It’s important to note that not all third-party apps will be subject to charges under the new policy. The fees will be based on usage levels, and certain noncommercial apps focused on accessibility will continue to have free access. Reddit also assured that API access for moderator tools and bots will remain free.
The protest against Reddit’s API changes stems from the fear of losing long-standing third-party resources. Redditors are concerned about the impact on popular apps like Apollo and Reddit Is Fun, both of which have announced plans to shut down by the end of the month due to the financial implications of the API changes. Christian Selig, the developer of Apollo, estimated that the fees would amount to approximately $20 million per year.
According to experts, the impact of the API changes on volunteer moderators, who rely on third-party apps, is expected to be significant. While Reddit assures that moderation tools will not be affected, many moderators depend on these apps and access to data archives to effectively perform their duties. Sarah Gilbert, a postdoctoral associate at Cornell University, emphasized the role of API access in helping moderators maintain community safety, promptly respond to issues like spam and harassment, and prevent moderator burnout and attrition. Third-party apps also play a crucial role in providing accessibility features for visually impaired users, as the official Reddit app may not be accessible to them.
The duration of the Reddit blackout varies among subreddits. While some have returned to normal after 48 hours, others have stated their intention to remain private until Reddit addresses their demands. These demands include reducing API charges for high-usage third-party developers to ensure the survival of popular apps.
Despite the protest, CEO Steve Huffman remains firm in his stance. He mentioned that the blacked-out subreddits will not remain offline indefinitely, even if it means finding new moderators. Reddit’s response to the blackout has further fueled the outrage of the protest organizers.
It’s worth noting that Twitter also faced backlash earlier this year when it ended free API access, signaling a similar move away from open access to its platform.
