In recent days, moderators of multiple Reddit communities have reported that the company has taken a strict stance against posting content related to Luigi Mangione, who has been charged with murder in connection with the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. According to a post on r/popculturechat, Reddit administrators have informed them that they must adhere strictly to site-wide rules regarding violent content.
The Rules: A Guide to Understanding Reddit’s Content Policy
Reddit’s Content Policy is designed to ensure that users feel safe and respected within the community. The policy emphasizes the importance of treating others with kindness and respect, regardless of their background or identity. Specifically, the policy states:
- Remember the human: Reddit is a place for creating community and belonging, not for attacking marginalized or vulnerable groups of people.
- No harassment, bullying, or threats of violence: Communities and users that incite violence or promote hate based on identity or vulnerability will be banned.
The policy also highlights the importance of abiding by both the letter and spirit of these rules. In other words, moderators and users are expected to not only follow the rules but also to use their best judgment when interpreting them.
Reddit’s Notice to Moderators
A moderator from r/popculturechat shared a message they received from Reddit administrators, which stated:
Do not post content that encourages, glorifies, incites, or calls for violence or physical harm against an individual (including oneself) or a group of people. It is very important that your community abides by these rules and does not allow or encourage users to engage in this behavior.
The notice also emphasized the importance of removing content that violates site-wide rules, including mass killer manifestos or imagery of their violence.
The Implications: Reddit’s Stricter Enforcement
Reddit’s new stance on violent content has significant implications for moderators and users alike. According to a post from r/popculturechat, moderators are expected to:
- Remove any posts or comments that repost or encourage the manifesto: Moderators will be strictly enforcing this rule to avoid site-wide permanent bans and potential shutdown of subreddits.
- Enforce strict moderation: Moderators must ensure compliance with Reddit’s policies by being extremely strict in moderating discussions related to violent content.
The post also mentioned that if rule violations persist, moderators may implement a "cool-down" period, temporarily removing any posts about Luigi Mangione to allow the situation to settle.
Reddit’s AI-Powered Answers Tool: A Double Standard?
Interestingly, Reddit’s new AI-powered Answers tool has been found to show information about the manifesto and where it can be found. This seems to contradict Reddit’s claims of strictly enforcing its policies against violent content.
Moreover, a user on r/esists reported that Reddit is deleting posts with excerpts from the manifesto, including their last post, and that their account has a warning for encouraging violence. However, Reddit search results continue to yield links to the manifesto without much effort.
Reddit’s Official Response: A Spokesperson Weighs In
A Reddit spokesperson, who wished to remain anonymous due to safety concerns, provided some insight into the company’s policies and actions:
Manifestos related to violent acts have long violated our Content Policy. Discussion is allowed as long as it doesn’t violate other aspects of our violence policies (e.g., glorification, incitement).
The spokesperson pointed to Reddit’s support document, which provides more information on the company’s content policy and guidelines.
Conclusion
Reddit’s crackdown on violent content is a significant development in the world of online communities. As users and moderators navigate this new landscape, it’s essential to understand the rules and guidelines that govern behavior on the platform. By doing so, we can create a safer and more respectful environment for everyone involved.
- Reddit’s Content Policy: A guide to understanding the company’s policies and guidelines.
- The Rules: A closer look at the specific rules governing violent content on Reddit.
- Reddit’s Notice to Moderators: The message from administrators that outlines the expectations for moderators in enforcing these rules.
- The Implications: How Reddit’s new stance on violent content affects moderators and users alike.