Ransomware group BlackCat, which hacked Reddit’s servers back in February, is now threatening to release the data. it stole unless Reddit rolls back its planned AI changes. (Via Bleeping Computer)
When the attack occurred, no group took credit for it, but now BlackCat is claiming responsibility. 80GB of compressed data was stolen via a phishing attack, and BlackCat says that it will release the data to the public unless Reddit withdraws the API pricing changes that will go into effect on July 1. Oh, and it also wants Reddit to pay $4.5 million.
The group claims to have “interesting confidential data” that allegedly includes information on how Reddit tracks users and censors people. BlackCat does not expect Reddit to cooperate and says that it expects to leak the data.
Following the hack, Reddit announced that no user passwords, accounts, or credit card details had been gleaned, but internal documentation, code, and internal dashboards and business systems information had been collected.
Reddit is preparing to begin charging developers for access to its API, thus spurring the BlackCat announcement.
Popular third-party Reddit app Apollo will shut down as of June 30, Apollo developer Christian Selig recently announced. Selig decided to shut down the app after Reddit announced that it would start requiring developers to pay a large amount of money to access its API.
Selig has previously said that Reddit is charging $12,000 for 50 million requests, and due to the large number of people that use Apollo, Selig would be forced to pay a $20 million per year charge to Reddit that Selig says is unfeasible for him to pay.
Despite protests from users and Reddit moderators that use third-party apps, Reddit has not dropped its plans to begin charging for access to its API. “Going from a free API for 8 years to suddenly incurring massive costs is not something I can feasibly make work with only 30 days,” Selig wrote.
The API changes have also resulted in protests in the form of subreddit blackouts.
Reddit CEO Steve Huffman has said that Reddit has no plan to change its new API business model despite the negative feedback.
