Reddit to Restrict "Old Reddit" Access to Combat AI Bots

Reddit is implementing further restrictions on its "Old Reddit" interface as part of its ongoing efforts to combat web scraping and automated traffic. In the coming months, users will need to be logged in and must have used the classic experience within the six months prior to the change rolling out to continue accessing it.

The company stated that this six-month window is designed to encompass "the vast majority of all Old Reddit users," indicating a strategy to affect primarily bots while minimizing disruption for regular users.

While details were not extensively provided, the move is understood to be a response to the increasing use of AI bots to scrape data from the platform, data that can then be used to train machine learning models. By limiting access to the older version of the site, Reddit aims to make it more difficult for these automated systems.

This decision reflects a broader trend within the technology sector, as companies seek ways to protect their data and services from unauthorized automated access. Requiring login and a history of use are the latest tools in this ongoing effort.