Reddit CEO Steve Huffman has faced backlash after threatening to replace moderators who have been protesting against the platform’s plans for API access. In interviews, Huffman defended the company’s plans and announced rule changes that would enable the removal of moderators who are not compliant. This announcement has further escalated the conflict with the protesters. Despite the protests, Reddit claims that the effects have been minimal and that the platform is functioning normally. As part of the protest, many subreddits were switched to non-public by moderators to oppose Reddit’s proposed high prices for API access. This has caused disruption as third-party applications rely on the API, and many are discontinuing service due to the high costs. The closure of subreddits has made it difficult for moderators to fulfill their roles effectively, as many useful tools are not available in the official app. Huffman criticized the power of the moderation teams, comparing them to “country gentry” who hold their positions without a democratic process. This statement has not been well-received, considering the vital work done by moderators on Reddit. Huffman also announced that Reddit itself has the ability to remove unruly moderators, which has caused further controversy. The protests have caused numerous subreddits to remain closed, with organizers indicating that the removal of moderators would be a red line for them. Huffman has assured that negotiations with third-party application developers are ongoing, but it remains an issue of contention, particularly with apps like Apollo that do not pay for API access. Huffman has denied that Reddit’s plans are related to a planned IPO, stating that the company’s focus is on survival and being a sustainable business. Despite the conflict, Reddit expects to overcome the challenges, with 80 percent of the largest subreddits accessible again. The majority of moderator actions are done through the browser or Reddit’s apps, making third-party applications less important than anticipated. Huffman believes that it is time for Reddit to behave like a mature company. Currently, around 5,000 of the 8,800 subreddits are not public.
