Reddit has recently implemented a significant policy change that requires moderators to seek permission from the company before making subreddits private. This decision, announced by Laura Nestler, Reddit's VP of community, alters the way moderators can manage the visibility of their communities. Previously, moderators had the autonomy to change a subreddit’s Community Type settings, which determine whether a subreddit is public, restricted, or private. Now, any such changes must be approved by Reddit, which could limit the ability of moderators to respond swiftly to community needs or protests. The motivation behind this policy shift appears to be rooted in the company's desire to maintain control over public communities. Nestler emphasized that when a public subreddit goes private, it restricts access to all users, including existing members. This change is seen as a way to ensure that public communities remain accessible, while private communities are appropriately managed. However, the timing of this announcement raises concerns among users, particularly in light of the protests that occurred in June 2023, when many subreddits temporarily went private in response to Reddit's changes to its API pricing. This protest led to significant disruptions on the platform, prompting Reddit to intervene and restore access to affected communities. The new rules could be interpreted as a means to stifle future dissent and limit the power of moderators, who are typically unpaid volunteers from the Reddit community. The requirement for approval from Reddit admins for changes to Community Type settings may diminish the leverage that moderators previously held, especially in situations where they felt compelled to act in defense of their communities. Some moderators have expressed concerns that this change could expose them to increased harassment, particularly in subreddits that have been targeted by organized campaigns. While moderators can still impose temporary restrictions on posts and comments in response to sudden spikes in traffic without prior approval, the overarching sentiment is that this policy change could hinder the ability of communities to self-govern effectively. As Reddit continues to navigate its status as a publicly traded company, the balance between corporate interests and community autonomy remains a contentious issue. The implications of this policy change are likely to resonate throughout the platform, as moderators and users grapple with the new limitations on their ability to manage their communities.