Liam Jansen
Reddit’s Bold 2025 Privacy Overhaul: What Every User Needs to Know — and Why Some Are Worried
Reddit’s new privacy controls give users more say over their profiles, but critics warn they could open the door for scams. Here’s what you need to know.
- Launch date: June 3, 2025
- Three new visibility options for posts and comments
- 28-day review window by moderators for suspicious activity
- Major privacy enhancement—but transparency concerns rise
Reddit has just shaken up its platform with a sweeping privacy upgrade, rolling out the most user-centric profile controls in its history. Announced on June 3, 2025, this update lets Redditors customize exactly what parts of their activity show up publicly — a move aimed at putting power back into the users’ hands.
But with this new power comes a storm of debate. While many celebrate newfound privacy, critics warn that these changes could become a hiding place for bad actors, trolls, and even scammers. As Reddit pushes toward a more private future, old questions around transparency have come roaring back.
Just how will these changes impact the world’s most outspoken community? Here’s a breakdown of what’s changed, how to use the new features, and what it means for everyone on Reddit.
Q: What Exactly Is the New Reddit Privacy Feature?
Reddit’s new settings put users in the driver’s seat. Now, instead of one-size-fits-all visibility, you can decide who sees your posts and comments — and where.
Here are the core options:
- Default: Keep all posts and comments public, just like before.
- Hide All: Conceal your entire post and comment history (even DMs) from the public eye.
- Custom: Choose which subreddits show your activity, letting you curate what’s visible in each community.
Access these under the ‘Content and Activity’ tab, which now lives inside a newly revamped ‘Curate Your Profile’ menu.
You can also:
- Toggle NSFW content visibility
- Control whether your followers are publicly shown
More details are available at reddit.com and from tech analysts on 9to5Mac.
Q: Why Are Users and Moderators Concerned?
The main worry: reduced transparency could help trolls and scammers slip under the radar.
Moderators and veteran Redditors argue that the open nature of profile histories helps root out fake charity scams, spammers, and coordinated misinformation across subreddits. If malicious users hide their histories, everyday users—and even mods—could face new blind spots when trying to spot troublemakers.
Others fear that the extra privacy might embolden hateful or divisive commenters who previously feared getting caught. The concern isn’t just theoretical: subreddits have long struggled with bots pushing fraudulent links, fake GoFundMe drives, and abusive behavior.
How Does Reddit Plan to Keep the Platform Safe?
In response to these trust concerns, Reddit says it’s bolstered protections for communities and moderators. The company promises that if a user posts, comments, requests post approval, or asks to join a private forum, moderators will have full access to that user’s previously hidden content for 28 days.
Further, if you interact with another user directly by commenting on their profile, that user gains 28-day access to your full activity log.
While this offers moderators oversight when it matters, some in the community remain unconvinced, arguing that unpaid mods are already overwhelmed and can’t police every hidden profile.
How Do I Update My Reddit Privacy Settings?
1. Login to your Reddit account.
2. Go to your profile > ‘Curate Your Profile’.
3. Open the new ‘Content and Activity’ section.
4. Set your profile to Default, Hide All, or Custom visibility.
5. Adjust NSFW and Followers toggles as desired.
You can also check out privacy best practices on EFF and stay tuned for ongoing Reddit announcements.
What’s Next for Reddit Privacy and Transparency?
Reddit’s experiment is just beginning. The platform promises ongoing adjustments as users and mods report back on the real-world impact of these changes. The real test will be whether user safety can keep pace with this leap in privacy.
Experts urge Redditors to stay alert, report suspicious activity, and make full use of the customizable tools.
Your Digital Safety Checklist:
- ✅ Review your Reddit profile privacy settings now
- ✅ Keep an eye out for suspicious links or users
- ✅ Report scams and abuse to moderators and admins
- ✅ Join privacy and safety discussions on Reddit and EFF
- ✅ Stay up-to-date with Reddit’s latest community guidelines
https://youtube.com/watch?v=yWtVVKRrhUM
Reddit just handed you the keys to your profile—don’t wait to lock in your privacy and security today!
