Ask to log in on old.reddit.com to change automatic traffic

• Reddit will require you to log in to use old.reddit.com
• Changes are coming to how automated traffic is handled
• Reddit CEO says the company is working to ensure that bots can’t be used

For more details, Ars Technica, The Verge.

Reddit is introducing a new requirement for using the service: you’ll have to log in to access old.reddit.com. In a post by Reddit moderator boat-botany on r/modnews, it was noted that the change is intended to reduce “bot activity”.

In particular, it was said that an automated traffic filter in old Reddit will be replaced with a login requirement. The moderator also noted that, if bots are blocked, it will be done in a way that doesn’t prevent legitimate moderation activities—i.e., that the company will provide access to the API.

boat-botany also explained that the “login requirement” may be part of the reason why Reddit is moving away from the “normal browsing” interface and toward a programmatic API. In other words, the company is trying to ensure that bot traffic is harder to use and that access is limited to authenticated users.

In response to Ars Technica, the company said that it is considering ways to make old.reddit.com available without requiring a login.

In a post, The Verge quoted a statement from Reddit CEO Steve Huffman (spez) about “the main thing.” In it, he said that the company is not going to “let go” and that it is necessary to ensure that only authenticated users can access the service, while also preventing bot activity.

According to Ars Technica, the change will be rolled out gradually to old.reddit.com users, with the blocks being applied to automated traffic. At the same time, the company said that it may be possible to bypass the restriction by using the API.

The Verge also noted that the change is aimed at reducing bot activity and preventing spam, and that the company is working to ensure that legitimate users and moderators are not affected.

Tags: Technology/AI