Reddit ends RSS feeds and restricts classic interface
The platform says it wants to curb automated abuse and large-scale scraping by bots.
Reddit is phasing out its RSS feeds and restricting access to Old Reddit, the classic web interface. The company points to automated traffic and scraping, while users fear the open internet is disappearing further.
Reddit announced new restrictions on Wednesday for various ways of using the platform outside the modern website. According to reports, Reddit will eventually stop providing its RSS feeds, which allowed users to follow posts and comments in their own newsreaders.
Access to Old Reddit is also being further restricted. Reddit describes this version as an outdated, text-focused desktop environment. In an earlier company statement, the platform said users would have to be logged in and that access would ultimately remain available mainly to active users and moderators.
Reddit justifies the measures by citing abuse by automated systems. The company says RSS, the old interface and other public access points are being used for large-scale scraping and automated traffic. The company does not identify any specific AI companies as responsible.
According to reporting by The Verge, support for RSS will end on 13 November. Reddit has also previously said that public API access is being gradually restricted and that developers must move to its own developer platform.
For ordinary users, not everything will change immediately. Those who use Reddit via the website or app will be able to continue visiting most communities. However, newsreaders, archiving services, researchers and some moderators will lose a simple way to follow or filter content.
The measure therefore touches on a broader tension on the internet. Platforms want to retain control over data, advertising and user relationships; users and developers, by contrast, emphasise open standards and access outside the official interface. It is not yet clear whether Reddit will continue to provide sufficient functionality through alternative access.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Reddit is restricting various forms of public access.
- The company points to scraping and automated abuse.
- RSS users and developers are losing an existing means of access.
- Most ordinary users can continue using the platform through the app and website for the time being.
Left
Arguments Digital platforms rely on contributions from users and communities. They should therefore respect open standards, research and accessible alternatives instead of further centralising control and advertising revenue.
Values The open internet, public knowledge and user power.
Consequences Greater interoperability could promote innovation and independent research, but would also require better protection against abuse.
Centre
Arguments Reddit is entitled to protect its infrastructure against scraping, but must act proportionately and explain what access will remain available to users, researchers and moderators.
Values Responsible platform management, transparency and proportionality.
Consequences Targeted access rules could reduce abuse without shutting off all external access.
Right
Arguments A commercial platform should be able to decide for itself how it protects its data and infrastructure. If bots and AI companies are benefiting on a large scale, Reddit can reasonably limit access and take back control.
Values Ownership, freedom of enterprise and security.
Consequences Stricter closure could limit the costs of abuse, but users would become more dependent on the official environment.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The technical policy changes are based on statements from Reddit and independent reporting. Where the exact date or future impact on users comes from reporting, this is phrased accordingly.
- confirmed Reddit is phasing out its RSS feeds. — The announcement was reported by The Verge and discussed in Reddit's own infrastructure updates. source
- confirmed Reddit is restricting access to Old Reddit because of scraping and automated traffic. — Reddit cites abusive scraping and spamming as reasons. source
- confirmed According to The Verge, RSS support will end on 13 November. — The Verge gives this date in its report on the announcement. source
Editor's note
The phasing out of RSS and restrictions on Old Reddit have been reported by Reddit and independent technology media. The precise technical consequences for all users and applications are not yet fully known.Sources
More on this in Dutch media
- AD — „reddit rss”
- RTL Nieuws — „reddit rss”
- FD — „reddit rss”