Reddit has confirmed that it is removing all chats and messages from before 2023, as reported by users. In June, Reddit had announced that it would be transitioning to a new chat architecture and stated that removing older messages would facilitate a smooth and efficient transition. The change took effect on June 30th, but many users only noticed it several days later.
According to Mashable, there might be a way for users to recover some of their lost messages. Reddit allows users to request their account data through an online form, and the archive provided may include conversations from before 2023. Although it may not be a straightforward process to retrieve old chats, there is hope that they won’t be completely lost forever.
However, many users are not pleased with this development. While Reddit did mention the removal of older messages in a changelog, the company did not directly notify community members. As a result, some users discovered the removal only after their message logs had already disappeared, preventing them from backing up their chat history on their own terms.
This move by Reddit comes amid a broader backlash the platform is facing. Several subreddits recently staged a blackout in protest of new policies that hindered the functionality of third-party apps like Apollo. Since then, users and moderators have taken various actions to express their dissatisfaction, such as redirecting subreddits to feature John Oliver photos.
Additionally, Reddit has announced its plans to phase out the existing coin system used to recognize exceptional contributors. New coins can no longer be purchased, and all awards and coins will be discontinued after September 12th. Reddit explained that the current approach led to “clutter” and provided content that some users did not consider valuable. Although a replacement system is expected to be simpler and more direct, longtime fans of Reddit may not be thrilled with the change, as they are accustomed to the platform’s unique awards and medals.
