Reddit Waives Universal API Pricing for Accessibility Apps

Reddit is providing relief for developers of accessibility apps, such as those for the blind and visually impaired, by waiving universal API pricing. This is an important development for developers concerned about the financial burden of expensive fees and for the users who rely on these apps to browse Reddit.

Non-Commercial Apps Exempt from Charges

Tim Rathschmidt, a Reddit spokesperson, explains, “We have reached out to select developers of non-commercial apps that focus on accessibility needs and offered them waivers from our large-scale pricing terms.”

Reactions to the Original Pricing

Christian Selig, the developer of Apollo, estimated that the updated pricing would amount to as much as $20 million per year.
The moderators of the r/Blind subreddit recently spoke out strongly against the pricing changes, highlighting the potential harm to screen reader apps like RedditForBlind and Luna For Reddit. In a lengthy post, the moderators expressed their concern, stating, “Not only will this affect your ability to access Reddit in a fluid, customizable, and efficient manner; many of us on the mod team are also blind and we depend on these third party apps to keep this community a safe, fun and productive place.”
The moderators further noted that the official Reddit apps and the new Reddit interface do not provide the necessary levels of accessibility needed to effectively manage the community.

A Step Towards Collective Action

Despite the moderators’ best efforts, their concerns seemed to fall on deaf ears at first, as Reddit remained unmoved. However, Reddit has now made adjustments as a response to community outrage.
The r/Blind subreddit, along with many other subreddits, is planning a temporary shutdown from June 12-14 to protest the API pricing changes.