Today, some of Reddit's most prominent communities have gone dark as part of a widespread protest against what they consider "ludicrous" pricing changes. Among the affected subreddits are gaming, with over 37 million members, music with 32.3 million members, and r/todayilearned, a page dedicated to sharing facts, boasting 31.8 million users. Additionally, pages dedicated to specific fandoms, such as Harry Potter and Taylor Swift, have also chosen to go offline.

The controversy stems from Reddit's decision in April to introduce charges for developers accessing its API (application programming interface), which allows third parties to gather information from the platform. Accessing the API was previously free, enabling developers to create alternative smartphone apps for users who prefer not to use Reddit's official app. However, starting from June 19, charges will be implemented.

To clarify, Reddit's API provides access to its vast database, including posts, comments, and profiles. Users interacting with Reddit apps essentially request permission from the API to view specific content. Previously, access was granted freely, akin to entering a British museum without payment. However, developers now face financial implications, as the costs incurred by accessing the API will be passed onto them.

The exact pricing details have not been disclosed publicly by Reddit. Nevertheless, the creators of popular third-party app Apollo claimed that, at their current API usage rate, they would be charged over $20 million (£15.9 million) annually. According to Apollo's subreddit, the proposed price was "$0.24 for 1,000 API calls." Their current usage would result in monthly costs of nearly $2 million or over $20 million per year.

The predicament arises because, despite Reddit's launch in 2005, it only introduced its official app in 2016. This delay meant that for years, users relied on third-party apps, many of which developed unique aesthetics and features. Consequently, users became accustomed to their preferred choices and never transitioned to the official app. Popular third-party options include Apollo, Narwhal, Relay, and Infinity. These apps offered different user experiences and were shielded from unpopular changes made to Reddit's official app.

Several subreddits participating in the blackout have consulted their members before going offline. R/gaming, for instance, reported overwhelming support from its members, stating that Reddit's API changes would impose "ludicrously more expensive" operational costs on developers. The music subreddit, inaccessible for 48 hours, encouraged users to contact Reddit to express their opposition to the new policy.

In an open letter, moderators of the Harry Potter subreddit urged Reddit to reconsider the API charges to preserve the vibrant ecosystem that has developed around the platform. Similarly, the Taylor Swift subreddit raised concerns about the impact on users with disabilities, emphasizing that some third-party apps offer superior accessibility options compared to Reddit's official app.

Reddit has defended the upcoming API charges, asserting that the platform needs to be "fairly paid." A statement to Sky News emphasized the associated costs and impact of expansive data access. Reddit clarified that its pricing is based on usage levels comparable to its own costs, while developers can optimize their apps to reduce API calls. The company reaffirmed its commitment to fostering a safe and responsible developer ecosystem, highlighting that access would remain free for moderator tools and bots.

In a recent Q&A session, Reddit's chief, Steve Huffman, reiterated the company's stance, stating that Reddit must be "self-sustaining" and can no longer subsidize commercial entities with extensive data usage. Notably, Reddit recently laid off 90