The recent Reddit blackout happened due to user-led protests against the website’s new API changes.
Reddit Blackout Details
The platform’s announcement of API changes on June 5 caused the user-led protest, which was initially set to begin on Monday and last for two days. The changes include a new pricing plan starting July 1. The new pricing plan will set back developers USD 0.24 for every 1,000 API calls.
Due to the new pricing plan, third-party app developers began telling users they would be unable to afford the costs and would likely have to shut down by June 30. Christian Selig, a developer for Apollo, one of the largest third-party Reddit apps, estimated his fees would reach USD 20 million.
In addition, the platform’s CEO Steve Huffman’s “Ask Me Anything” thread last Friday added more to the discontent. It has triggered some subreddits to vow to a total shutdown unless the policy is changed.
Talks between third-party app makers and the platform have not gone well. Selig mentioned that the platform has accused him of blackmail, while other app developers mention that the platform has not responded to inquiries.
It was reported that over 7,800 subreddits have gone dark in protest. Among these include some of the major ones like r/funny, r/gaming, r/todayilearned, and r/aww. r/funny, alone, has over 40 million subscribers alone and its going dark is pretty massive. The number of subreddits has been growing since Monday.
Started his freelancing adventure in 2018 and began doing freelance Audio Engineering work and then started freelance writing a few years later.
Currently he writes for Gadget Pilipinas and Grit.PH.
He is also a musician, foody, gamer, and PC enthusiast.
