Apps

The darkening of Reddit, explained

Here’s what you need to know

Published

June 14, 2023

Luigi Leonardo

It’s easy to see why Reddit is so popular. The platform allows users to hide behind anonymity, creating a freer digital landscape wherein so many different viewpoints can have their say without fear of reciprocation. It also has a subreddit for virtually any interest under the sun. That said, there’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes. So, when Reddit, as a company, messes with its own platform, the platform’s users are sure to respond in droves.

Lately, you might have caught wind of a maelstrom currently shaking Reddit. Thousands of subreddits have suddenly risen up in protest of some upcoming changes on the platform. Now, whether you’re an active redditor or just a casual observer, whatever happens to Reddit does have meaningful implications on the entire digital world.

The price of profit

It all starts with US$ 20 million. Two weeks ago, Christian Selig, the developer of a third-party Reddit app called Apollo, made public his frustrations with Reddit’s upcoming policy changes. This month, the platform will start charging developers for access to its API. Selig’s app is, of course, affected.

According to Reddit, the changes are meant to prevent companies from using bots to extract information from its users. Unfortunately, stopping larger companies will affect smaller developers much more drastically. Selig is being billed US$ 20 million per year to maintain his popular Reddit client — way above his paygrade.

Apollo isn’t the only casualty. Other clients are being charged as well. Instead of forking over cash they don’t have, a lot of the affected apps are simply just shutting down.

What’s in a Reddit client?

Now, what’s so special about Apollo? Because Reddit offers (or offered) its API more easily, developers created modified versions of the platform. Each had its way of simplifying the experience for its users. One, for example, might allow users to customize how Reddit looks. Another might strip away unused features like the chat function. Some are even more accessible for the disabled.

Reddit does have its own app. However, much like a lot of official apps, the Reddit app forces users into a version of the platform it wants users to experience. Ironically, it doesn’t offer the same number of features as its third-party siblings. It’s also not as accessible. It just sucks.

Going dark in protest

Soon after Selig announced the shutdown of Apollo, a few subreddits announced that they will go private from June 12 to 15 to protest the decision to sell Reddit’s API for exorbitant prices. In this case, “going private” means that these communities will not be accessible by most Reddit users — hence, going dark.

The movement quickly got a lot of traction. As of now, over 8,000 subreddits have gone dark. It even includes some of the platform’s most prolific and active communities, such as r/NBA and r/videos. Because of the massive shutdown, the website went down briefly on Monday. Vast swaths of the site is currently inaccessible.

To further their protest, some subreddits have also extended their shutdown’s duration “indefinitely.” They won’t go back online until Reddit gives in.

Reddit in response

On the second day of the protest, Reddit CEO Steve Huffman brushed the protest aside. In an internal memo (obtained via The Verge), the CEO expects the protests to pass. The company is also doubling down on its upcoming changes, stating that it is “the only long term solution.” To appease some of the protestors, Huffman says that accessibility-focused clients will be exempt from the ruling.

On a final note, Huffman warns his employees to avoid wearing Reddit merchandise in public so as not to attract the crowd’s ire.

How it affects everyone

Reddit isn’t the only platform to cut off third-party developers from its API. Recently, Twitter did the same thing, banning third-party apps altogether.

As Reddit embarks on a similar journey, the digital world has started asking what a platform is. Third-party apps have offered streamlined versions of the world’s most popular platforms. It’s the same platform but in a more convenient package.

While there’s nothing wrong with using official apps, the world of third-party apps have opened up a world of creativity that asks how we, as digital users, consume platforms. Some platforms have even integrated the work done by third-party developers. There’s a world of opportunity in allowing users to experiment.

Currently, it’s unknown whether the ongoing Reddit protests will affect the platform much. However, whatever happens with Reddit will likely affect how other platforms engage with third-party creators and apps in the long run. Others who have yet to crack down on third-party API usage might heed the long-lasting impact of Reddit’s darkening.

Apps

The No-Nonsense guide to mid-year shopping

Let AI do the heavy lifting for you this Lazada 6.6 Super WOW Sale

Published

June 5, 2026

MJ Jucutan

The mid-year sale season is here, but the days of mindless impulse buying are over.

Shoppers are shifting toward intentional, value-driven decisions, focusing on quality, authenticity, and actual utility over flashy, low-quality gimmicks.

From 8:00 PM on June 5 until 11:59 PM on June 8, 2026, the Lazada 6.6 Super WOW Sale is dropping major discounts. But the real win is using the platform’s tools to maximize your budget.

Lock in the baseline discounts

Before diving into specific items, map out how to stack the core offers.

You can stretch your money by hunting down LazFlash Deals for up to 90% off, collecting up to PhP 3,000 in stackable vouchers, and ensuring every order qualifies for the free shipping offers available throughout the event.

True value comes from combining these three layers of savings on things you already need.

Jisulife: One of the participating, trusted brands you can get from LazMall

Filter for authentic value

Shopping smart means avoiding the trap of “too good to be true” counterfeits that end up in the trash.

Data shows a massive consumer shift toward trusted quality, with LazMall growth vastly outperforming standard listings during major sales.

To ensure your money goes toward genuine products with real warranties, restrict your browsing to official, brand-certified stores.

If you are upgrading your tech, parenting gear, or wardrobe, look to trusted names anchoring the sale like UGREEN, JisuLife, ANTA, Maserati Watches, Momcozy, and O.TWO.O.

UGREEN: One of the participating, trusted brands you can get from LazMall

Outsmart the noise with built-in tech

Don’t waste hours scrolling through endless listings or guessing which product is better.

The smartest way to navigate a massive mid-year event is to let the platform’s built-in features cut through choice paralysis.

Tools like AI Lazzie and AI Picks allow you to instantly compare similar items, analyze prices, and get personalized recommendations based on actual data rather than generic marketing hype.

Smart Shopper Tip: True value is a mix of the right price, verified authenticity, and a seamless return policy. Use this sale period to stock up on everyday essentials and high-quality upgrades rather than panic-buying items you’ll regret later.

Apps

Meta adds subscriptions for Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp

Published

May 28, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Is your wallet buckling from the weight of so many subscription services? Well, Meta has a trio of new subscriptions for you to sink your hard-earned cash towards. If you have a few dollars, here’s Facebook Plus, Instagram Plus, and WhatsApp Plus.

All three subscriptions are designed to add new features which can enhance the experience for those who practically live on these apps. Among the three, Instagram Plus is the meatiest. It offers users the ability to view other people’s Stories without showing up as a viewer, create more tailored audiences outside of Close Friends, and extend the duration of a Story beyond 24 hours, among others.

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Since it shares similarities with Instagram, Facebook Plus offers much of the same features. WhatsApp Plus, however, offers more customization options including new themes, ringtones, and stickers.

If that’s not enough, Meta has also released a new subscription system for Meta AI. Though the basic use of the AI is still free, the new Meta One Plus and Meta One Premium plans offer more capacity and performance for power users. The company is also testing new creator-focused plans, Meta One Essential and Meta One Advanced.

Of course, the new AI-based plans are more focused on those who actually use the AI software. Meanwhile, the three app plans are more for regular users. Facebook Plus and Instagram Plus will cost US$ 3.99 per month. Meanwhile, WhatsApp Plus will cost US$ 2.99 per month.

Apps

Meta quietly launches Forum app for Facebook Groups

The app highlights discussions from Facebook Groups.

Published

May 22, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Since the rise of other platforms, Facebook Groups haven’t enjoyed as much popularity anymore. Despite this (or maybe even to help with this), Meta has unleashed an all-new app called Forum.

Designed specifically with Facebook Groups in mind, Forum collates discussions from Groups that the user might be interested in. Much like the websites of the same name from the 2000s, the app wants to feature conversations, rather than canned content that the algorithm shoves towards users on the main Facebook feed.

Users can also ask questions. Forum will sift through real discussions to find an answer. The closest analog today is searching Reddit for troubleshooting questions to get answers based on human experience. The main feed of the new app, however, feels more in tune with Quora’s concept.

That said, it’s a refreshing way to bring social media back to human-made feeds. It’s also a stark admission that the main Facebook feed (and, frankly, Instagram too) is just too inundated with content that users are not interested in.

Lately, Instagram also made the same admission by launching its own “lightweight” app called Instants. Like Forum, Instants was made to recapture the essence of Instagram before the rise of the almighty algorithm.

Forum, however, was launched with much less fanfare than Instants. There was no announcement. Rather, it’s just a casual drop from out of nowhere. The app is available now on the App Store and the Play Store.