Reddit Sending “Threatening” Emails To Moderators Who Have Kept Their Subreddits Private

Reddit has been coercing moderators to reopen their communities to the public. As the protests against Reddit's API pricing policy changes refuse to subside, the platform appears to have adopted threatening as a tactic.

As some of the messages protesting moderators received this week have revealed, Reddit appears to be indirectly threatening them. The social media platform with millions of active members, is essentially trying to arm-twist moderators to take their subreddits from private to public.

Reddit Warns Moderators Communities Cannot Remain Private For Long

According to an email from the Reddit account "ModCodeofConduct" disclosed by a moderator, the company has given moderators deadlines to lay out their plans for reopening. However, Reddit has warned moderators that subreddits can't stay closed or private.

"This community remaining closed to its [millions of] members cannot continue," read one of the emails to one of the moderators. After the person replied to this email, the ModCodeofConduct account further stated:

"[Millions of] members have lost complete access to this community and that is not going to continue. Wanting to take time to consider future moderation plans is fine, but that must be done in at least a 'restricted' setting. This community will not remain private beyond the timeframe we've allowed for confirmation of plans here."

As indicated by the choice of words, the deadline isn't specific, but it suggests Reddit may start taking action unilaterally. Reddit appears to be intentionally vague about the exact repercussions, but the emails suggest this is the final warning stage.

Reddit Citing Rules About "Active Engagement" To Pressure Moderators

Reddit is using its own rules and policies to pressure moderators. The ModCodeofConduct informed another moderator that "continued violation of [Rule 4 of the Moderator Code of Conduct] over the next 31 hours will result in further action." Rule 4 of that document is "Be Active and Engaged."

Reddit has been indirectly threatening action against protesting moderators. The platform recently indicated that it would start proceedings against "inactive moderation," "mods vandalizing communities," and "subreddit squatters".

Essentially, Reddit has indicated it would replace moderators. Incidentally, none of the moderators are on Reddit's payroll. Simply put, Reddit is fine with unpaid moderators but wants them to remain active and engaging.

Many subreddits have reopened as "normal". However, quite a few have only switched from private to restricted mode, which doesn't allow all users to post in the community.

Content is merely viewable in this mode, but only certain users are allowed to post or comment. A few have opted to remain in an "archive" mode where new posts will be automatically removed.