Reddit has recently implemented a new rule requiring moderators of subreddits to seek admin approval before switching from public to private, as reported by The Verge. This change is seen as an effort to prevent sitewide protests, as Reddit staffers must now approve these requests, preventing multiple subreddits from going private simultaneously. The company provided no explanation for this decision, stating that requests must be submitted if changing community type after creation. Reddit VP of community Laura Nestler linked the policy change to last year’s protests, emphasizing the importance of honoring community expectations. In response to last year’s API pricing changes, over 8,000 subreddits went private, resulting in decreased site traffic and stability issues. Moreover, Reddit has also restricted moderators from labeling subreddits as NSFW without admin approval. Despite the failure of previous protests, Reddit continues to make controversial decisions, including licensing content for AI training at the expense of user compensation.
