- Reddit now requires moderator approval to change subreddits to private, NSFW, or restricted, with promises of a response in under 24 hours.
- Subreddits with fewer than 5,000 members or less than 30 days old will automatically receive approval for changes.
- year’s protests, spurred by Reddit’s API pricing changes, accelerated the policy update to limit moderators’ control.
In response to last year’s widespread protests, Reddit has implemented new policies that require moderators to seek permission before making significant changes to their subreddits, such as marking them private, not-safe-for-work (NSFW), or restricted. The announcement was made by Reddit’s Vice President of Community, Go_JasonWaterfalls, who emphasized that the platform will now oversee and approve any requests for these alterations. This change follows a surge in user backlash after moderators used these tactics to protest Reddit’s API changes.
Reddit clarified that moderators will receive responses to their requests within 24 hours, ensuring timely action. However, for newer subreddits with fewer than 5,000 members or that are less than 30 days old, the approval will be granted automatically. Additionally, moderators can still temporarily restrict posts and comments for up to seven days using Reddit’s “Temporary Events” feature. This allows mods to maintain some control without going through the formal approval process for short-term restrictions.
The protests that sparked these changes began when Reddit started charging hefty fees for API access, leading to the shutdown of popular third-party apps. In retaliation, moderators turned many subreddits private or limited content to NSFW, leading to significant disruptions across the platform. Reddit responded by removing certain moderators and eventually calming the unrest, but the damage had been done.
Reddit has admitted that such large-scale protests could have lasting financial consequences. By implementing this new approval system, the company hopes to prevent future moderator-led protests that could undermine the platform’s functionality. This move gives Reddit more control while still offering moderators some flexibility for short-term adjustments.
The Verge also reported that Reddit had been considering this policy change as early as 2021, but last year’s protests significantly sped up the decision-making process. According to Reddit’s Laura Nestler, the protests were a major wake-up call, showing the potential for moderators to disrupt Reddit’s operations on a large scale. Now, with this policy solidified, Reddit has positioned itself to avoid similar challenges in the future.
