Reddit — Policy Change
Executive Summary
Reddit updated its privacy policy extending IP address retention from 90 to 100 days to measure usage across a full quarter, and began rolling out support for the Do Not Track (DNT) browser header. The policy also added a dedicated section on mobile data collection and disclosed that mobile advertising identifiers, IP addresses, and subreddit lists would be shared with advertisers.
What Happened
Reddit updated its privacy policy on January 1, 2016, making several changes to how it handles user data. The platform extended its IP address retention period from 90 to 100 days, stating this would allow them to measure usage across a full business quarter. Reddit also began implementing support for the Do Not Track browser header and added a new section specifically addressing mobile data collection practices. The updated policy disclosed that mobile advertising identifiers, IP addresses, and lists of subreddits users visit would be shared with advertisers.
Who Is Affected
All Reddit users are affected by the extended IP address retention period and the new data sharing practices with advertisers. Mobile users are particularly impacted as the policy now explicitly covers mobile-specific data collection including advertising identifiers and device information. Users who enable the Do Not Track header in their browsers gained a new privacy option, though the extent of Reddit's DNT implementation details are not specified in the available information.
Why It Matters
This policy change represents a shift toward greater data retention and expanded advertiser access to user information, particularly browsing behavior indicated by subreddit lists. While the IP retention extension from 90 to 100 days may seem modest, it establishes a precedent for incrementally extending data storage periods. The explicit disclosure of mobile data sharing with advertisers reflects the growing importance of mobile advertising and the platform's monetization strategy through more granular user tracking.
What You Should Do
Reddit users can enable the Do Not Track header in their browser settings to exercise the newly supported privacy option. Users concerned about advertiser tracking on mobile devices should review their device's privacy settings to limit ad tracking and consider resetting their mobile advertising identifier periodically. Users should be aware that their IP addresses will now be retained for 100 days and that their subreddit browsing patterns may be shared with advertisers when using the platform.
AI-Assisted
Event summaries are generated by Claude AI from verified sources and reviewed by humans before publication.
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