Reddit users might need to prove their humanity, but won’t have to provide ID.
Reddit CEO Steve Huffman mentioned the possibility of ID verification to fight bots, but later clarified that the platform isn’t trying to identify users; it just wants to ensure they are human. “Reddit works because it’s human – and we want to keep it that way,” a Reddit spokesperson stated.
In a post titled “Humans welcome (bots must wear name tags),” Huffman explained that “good bots” will be labeled as “Apps.” Bot accounts should not impersonate humans, and developers can register their automated accounts with Reddit. Details will be released soon.
Regarding ID verification, Huffman referred to it as “human verification.” This will be done on a case-by-case basis, if automation is suspected. Reddit will use a third-party service for verification, without accessing user activity or identities.
Reddit has effectively removed bots for over 20 years and aims for better transparency. The platform is cautious about AI, allowing subreddit communities to set their own AI rules. AI content can be downvoted, and Huffman acknowledged that AI might be a part of future interactions, though the platform will adapt as needed.