Reddit CEO to Answer Questions on API Modifications as Multiple Subreddits Prepare to Shut Down
The CEO of Reddit, Steve Huffman, is set to make his first public statement regarding the company’s proposed API modifications that have caused widespread anger on the platform. In a brief update, the company announced that “u/spez,” as Huffman is known on Reddit, will conduct an AMA tomorrow to discuss the latest API changes, which include accessibility, mod bots, and third-party mod tools.
A Reddit spokesperson said the AMA will likely begin around 10:30 a.m. PT on Friday, June 9. The news of the AMA comes on the heels of the developers of Apollo and RIF, two of the most popular third-party reddit clients, announcing that they will shut down their apps at the end of the month due to the company’s new API pricing.
The AMA comes just three days before a mass protest against the controversial changes among much of the Reddit community. More than 3,000 subreddits, several with more than a million subscribers, have said they plan to “go black” for 48 hours starting June 12.
With upcoming protests and the shutdown of two beloved apps, tensions are likely to run high during the AMAs. Notably, Reddit’s post about the upcoming Q&A doesn’t directly refer to third-party clients, even though they’re likely to feature prominently in user questions. Instead, the company emphasized accessibility features and moderation tools, which are also affected by the API changes, although the company has made some concessions in these areas.
