Reddit has implemented a block on mature content access through third-party apps on its platform. The CEO of the company, Steve Huffman, announced this change last month, stating that as of July 5, access to explicit content via third-party apps would no longer be supported. Users will now need to log in to the official Reddit app to view mature content.
In a Reddit post, CEO Steve Huffman explained, “Effective July 5, 2023, we will limit access to mature content via our Data API as part of an ongoing effort to provide guardrails to how explicit content and communities on Reddit are discovered and viewed.” He clarified that this modification to the Data API would not impact moderator bots or extensions. According to a report by Vice, Reddit’s decision aims to encourage users to switch to the official Reddit app instead of relying on third-party apps. The report also highlighted that these third-party apps encompass not only adult content but also other types of explicit material, such as discussions on sex education and harm reduction.
There have been reports of Reddit warning moderators of certain communities and instructing them to promptly change the NSFW (Not Safe for Work) label. Reddit argues that these communities were not historically considered NSFW and does not fall into the NSFW category based on its current policies. If the decision to label these communities as NSFW is not reversed, Reddit has stated that moderators may face consequences, such as losing the ability to moderate future communities.
The Reddit community has expressed strong opposition to the company’s decision to charge high fees for API data, which is utilised by third-party apps to offer features not available on the official app and aid moderators in managing their communities. As a form of protest against the API changes, many subreddits organised a 48-hour shutdown. Some communities resorted to posting pornographic content or marking their subreddits as NSFW as a way to voice their discontent. However, NSFW-labelled subreddits face restrictions on advertising and impose age-related entry limitations.
Redditors are dissatisfied with Reddit’s proposed data access fees, which would have a substantial impact on third-party applications that improve user interaction and content reading on the platform.
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