Basically, reddit publishes an API. An API is an Application Programmer Interface. It is the means by which someone else can write some software, and have that software do stuff on reddit - stuff like, read all the posts, read all the comments, make new posts, make new comments, etc - via making calls through that API.
By making use of that API, it is possible to write your own App that allows someone to use/interact with reddit, without going through Reddit's website, or their official App. Examples of this are stuff Apollo, RedditIsFun, BaconReader.
Shitbag leftist moderators also run software that makes use of that API to do stuff like, check other subs that they don't like, and then have their sub automatically ban someone that has been on one of those wrong think subs.
So - anyhow - reddit has tired of making that API available for free as, 1. Anyone using those other apps doesn't have to view reddit's ads, and doesn't have to provide reddit with their user data. While they are doing that, they are still consuming data, and costing reddit money. 2. Just as all the free art spread out over the internet instantly became valuable when people starting using it to train their "AI" image software (Stuff like Midjourney), all the user comments that reddit has are now assumed to have a bunch of value to those training AI/NLP (Natural Language Processing) bots like ChatGPT.
That act of them deciding use of it is no longer free has pissed off three groups. 1. The people that like to access reddit via third party Apps. 2. The power jannies who are worried its going to be harder to use their "tools" to ban people they don't like, and 3. The usual slacktavist virtue signalers that are always willing to climb aboard whatever the next big "cause" happens to be.
Me? I'm just in it to see the power jannies burn. I know they won't be replaced with anyone better, but there will still be some joy in seeing this currnent crop REEEEEEEE the fuck out when they lose their power over others.
I messaged a sub to let me in and this was the reply. "We’re participating in the blackout to protest Reddit’s API pricing. Please come back on June 14"
Ok I'll bite out of morbid curiosity.
What are the jannies striking over?
Basically, reddit publishes an API. An API is an Application Programmer Interface. It is the means by which someone else can write some software, and have that software do stuff on reddit - stuff like, read all the posts, read all the comments, make new posts, make new comments, etc - via making calls through that API.
By making use of that API, it is possible to write your own App that allows someone to use/interact with reddit, without going through Reddit's website, or their official App. Examples of this are stuff Apollo, RedditIsFun, BaconReader.
Shitbag leftist moderators also run software that makes use of that API to do stuff like, check other subs that they don't like, and then have their sub automatically ban someone that has been on one of those wrong think subs.
So - anyhow - reddit has tired of making that API available for free as, 1. Anyone using those other apps doesn't have to view reddit's ads, and doesn't have to provide reddit with their user data. While they are doing that, they are still consuming data, and costing reddit money. 2. Just as all the free art spread out over the internet instantly became valuable when people starting using it to train their "AI" image software (Stuff like Midjourney), all the user comments that reddit has are now assumed to have a bunch of value to those training AI/NLP (Natural Language Processing) bots like ChatGPT.
That act of them deciding use of it is no longer free has pissed off three groups. 1. The people that like to access reddit via third party Apps. 2. The power jannies who are worried its going to be harder to use their "tools" to ban people they don't like, and 3. The usual slacktavist virtue signalers that are always willing to climb aboard whatever the next big "cause" happens to be.
Me? I'm just in it to see the power jannies burn. I know they won't be replaced with anyone better, but there will still be some joy in seeing this currnent crop REEEEEEEE the fuck out when they lose their power over others.
Cheers for the excellent explanation.
I hope they both lose.
I messaged a sub to let me in and this was the reply. "We’re participating in the blackout to protest Reddit’s API pricing. Please come back on June 14"