Reddit to Introduce User Verification in Response to AI Bot Controversy

Reddit is preparing to tighten its account verification processes in an effort to safeguard the platform from AI bots posing as real users. The move follows widespread backlash over a recent academic experiment in which AI-driven bots posted more than 1,700 comments in the “Change My View” subreddit, masquerading as real people with fabricated identities, including contentious or emotional backstories. These accounts racked up “Karma”, a reputation system that can be used to make accounts look more legitimate for scam or misinformation purposes.

Reddit CEO Steve Huffman (also known as u/spez) confirmed the company’s intention to implement new verification measures aimed at confirming that users are human. “To keep Reddit human and to meet evolving regulatory requirements, we are going to need a little more information,” Huffman said, adding, “But we never want to know your name or who you are.”

Though details are sparse, Reddit plans to work with third-party verification providers to minimize the amount of personal data it collects directly. However, the move marks a significant cultural shift for the platform, which has traditionally required minimal user information.

The company has not disclosed which verification services it will use or under what conditions users will need to verify. Still, Huffman emphasized Reddit’s commitment to protecting anonymity and resisting intrusive data requests from public or private entities. Given that Reddit is already fairly anonymous – currently never requiring users to offer any real-world information besides an email account – it seems unlikely that things will change too drastically in the near future.