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Major Subreddits Go Dark in Protest Against Reddit’s API Price Changes
Several popular subreddits on topics such as Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo, Star Wars, and Cyberpunk 2077 have gone dark in protest against Reddit’s recent API price changes. These changes have affected third-party apps that use Reddit data and raised the cost of using the platform’s interface by developers.
What Is Happening?
Previously, users could access these subreddits and engage in discussions on new reveals, contentious topics, and more. However, upon visiting these pages, users will now find nothing as some subreddits are entirely closed, while others have gone private and are only accessible to invited members.
Why Are These Subreddits Going Dark?
The reason behind this protest is the revised pricing strategy implemented by Reddit, affecting the cost of its API. This has made it more costly for third-party developers to access and use Reddit data. The developer of Apollo, a popular app used by millions to browse and read Reddit posts, has announced that it would now cost upwards of $20 million annually to run, causing a wave of backlash among users.
What Are Subreddit Owners Saying?
Several subreddit owners have expressed concern over these changes, with the Xbox, PS5, and Nintendo pages currently displaying a blank notice. Others, such as those running the Star Wars and Cyberpunk 2077 subreddits, have confirmed that they will shut down soon temporarily or indefinitely, in support of the ongoing protests.
The message on the PS5 subreddit reads, This subreddit is temporarily private as part of a joint protest to Reddit’s recent API changes, which breaks third-party apps and moderation tools, effectively forcing users to use the official Reddit app.
In a similar vein, the Cyberpunk 2077 subreddit message stated, In solidarity with the rest of Reddit, we will be participating in the API protests indefinitely, at your request. We were going to open up in private, but many people expressed their concerns that that would undermine the protest.
Will There Be a Resolution Soon?
It remains unclear when these protests will end, and the CEO of Reddit, Steve Huffman, showed no signs of changing its pricing policy despite user concerns and protests.
Conclusion
The protests by major subreddits on the platform are a direct reaction to Reddit’s revised pricing strategy that has made third-party app access expensive. While these protests have caused some inconvenience to users, it highlights the community’s strong response when they feel their interests are threatened. It remains to be seen what changes will occur to encourage an amicable resolution.
FAQs
What is Reddit’s API?
API stands for Application Programming Interface, which acts as an intermediary between software applications to exchange data. In this instance, the API enables third-party apps to access and use Reddit content.
What is the new pricing strategy that has caused this protest?
The pricing strategy implemented by Reddit has raised the cost of using its API, making it more expensive for third-party developers to access Reddit data. This new pricing strategy has led to widespread complaints from developers and users of third-party apps that utilize Reddit data.
Why are subreddits going dark?
Several subreddits recently went dark to protest the new pricing strategy that affects third-party applications’ access to Reddit data. Owners of these subreddits have expressed concerns over increased costs, and this has led to discussions that the protests may continue indefinitely until Reddit’s pricing policy changes.
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