While most subreddits that temporarily went dark to express their opposition to the recent API changes on the platform have now resumed their normal activities, some moderators continue to protest the modifications. According to The Verge, several popular subreddits that traditionally prohibited adult content have decided to allow users to post NSFW (Not Safe For Work) content. Among these communities are r/interestingasfuck, r/TIHI (Thanks, I Hate It), r/mildlyinteresting, and r/videos.
For example, r/TIHI has published a pinned post stating that they are removing a rule that previously prohibited extreme NSFW content, and they will now permit such content as long as it adheres to US laws. Similarly, r/interestingasfuck has introduced a smaller and less restrictive set of rules, including the requirement to label posts as NSFW and a prohibition on sexual content involving minors. By flooding their subreddits with NSFW content, the moderators are effectively preventing Reddit from monetizing these communities. NSFW subreddits have been ineligible for ad targeting for years, and the platform does not allow ads for adult-oriented products.
Reddit has responded promptly to this situation, reportedly removing entire moderating teams from communities that have self-identified as NSFW. If you visit the r/interestingasfuck and r/TIHI subreddits, you will notice that their moderator lists are empty, with a note indicating that the subreddit is unmoderated and suggesting users visit r/redditrequest to request control. Tim Rathschmidt, a spokesperson for Reddit, informed The Verge that “Moderators incorrectly marking a community as NSFW is a violation of both our Content Policy and Moderator Code of Conduct.”
As for the other mentioned subreddits, they now have fully operational moderating teams and no longer permit explicit posts. It remains unclear whether the moderators themselves chose to revert to their regular programming or were compelled to do so. Several moderators from r/mildlyinteresting stated that although they were initially locked out of their subreddits by a Reddit administrator, another administrator reinstated their access. The latter administrator also overturned the seven-day suspension they had received.
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These events were sparked by Reddit’s decision to introduce access fees for its API. While the original aim was to target companies that scraped the website’s content for training generative AI models, this decision has also impacted thousands of third-party clients and apps that integrate with the platform, including those with moderation tools. To express their discontent, numerous communities protested by making their subreddits private and inaccessible.
Despite the protest, Reddit CEO Steve Huffman remained unmoved and stated to NPR, “It’s a small group that’s very upset, and there’s no way around that. We made a business decision that upset them.” He also shared with NBC News that he intends to make it easier for regular users to vote out moderators based on their actions. A representative of the company reiterated this sentiment in a post on the website, adding, “If a moderator team unanimously decides to stop moderating, we will invite new, active moderators to maintain open and accessible spaces for users.”
More about Reddit API changes
- The Verge: Popular subreddits welcomed porn content to protest Reddit’s API changes
- NPR: Reddit CEO Steve Huffman on API changes and user protests
- NBC News: Reddit plans to allow users to vote out moderators more easily
- Reddit Content Policy
- Reddit Moderator Code of Conduct
5 comments
it’s interesting how these events unfolded. the subreddits takin’ a stand against the api changes, admins clashing with mods, and the debate about monetization. a real drama on reddit!
omg, the subs r going wild wit the nsfw stuff! reddits api change got ppl real mad. now mods r takin a stand. but admins kickin em out. not cool!
reddit admins are not playin’ around! they straight up removed whole moderating teams. but some subs bounced back while others got their mods reinstated. messy situation!
wow, didn’t expect this kind of protest from the subreddits! they’re lettin’ the nsfw stuff flow just to mess with reddit’s money-making plans. can’t blame ’em!
the api changes had a huge impact on reddit. lotsa apps and clients affected. it’s like a digital rebellion happenin’ on the platform. wonder how it’s gonna play out in the end!