Reddit is down for thousands of users at a time when the site is grappling with large-scale protests.
According to Down Detector, the problems started at 3.29 pm UK time, with over 7,100 people reporting issues with the social platform.
The disruption comes as the site is contending with a massive user backlash over its new data paywall.
At the time of writing, more than 7,200 Reddit communities, known as subreddits, are known to be participating in a blackout on Monday. They include several of the biggest subreddits on the site, including one that has more than 40 million followers, and hundreds more with over one million members.
As part of the protest, many subreddits claim they will go offline for 48 hours, though some are threatening to go away permanently if their demands aren’t met.
Redditors are incensed about the company’s plans to charge sky-high fees for access to its data starting June 19. After warning about the detrimental impact of the new pricing structure, several third-party apps announced they would shut down on June 30. They include Apollo, Reddit is Fun, Sync, and Redd Planet, among others.
The unofficial apps allow Reddit users to view and interact with the platform, and the site’s volunteer moderators to manage their sprawling communities.
Subreddits protesting the changes are demanding that Reddit reduce its API pricing; allow access for apps that cater to blind people; and permit third-party apps to use content deemed not safe for work (or NSFW) including posts that contain nudity, pornography, and profanity.
Reddit CEO Steve Huffman defended the changes during a divisive open forum last Friday. He said, “Reddit needs to be a self-sustaining business and, to do that, we can no longer subsidize commercial entities that require large-scale data use.”
In the face of mounting criticism, Huffman confirmed the company has no plans to revise its coming API changes.
