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The official app collects far more data points to identify users for ad targeting than the third party clients do (check the permissions asked). They may have d

The official app collects far more data points to identify users for ad targeting than the third party clients do (check the permissions asked). They may have decided there's no way to effectively monetize third-party app users to the levelling of targeting that their ad platform requires, so these users will always be a cost center instead of a profit center. Then again these users are likely to disproportionately be posters and commenters, the people who create free content that keeps the broader userbase engaged, or are moderators keeping the site running for zero compensation, so pissing them off seems ill advised. Based on this thread [1], where an admin accuses 3rd party apps of being inefficient API consumers but refuses to explain why, it's clear Reddit just wants these apps gone and isn't interested in whether anyone is alienated or upset by it. The looming IPO and showing as positive user monetization numbers as possible is undoubtedly the motivation for this, unfortunately goodwill with the userbase that has taken years to build is getting trashed in the process. [1] https://www.reddit.com/r/redditdev/comments/13wsiks/api_update_enterprise_level_tier_for_large_scale/ https://www.reddit.com/r/redditdev/comments/13wsiks/api_upda...

scarface_74 3y ago
> The official app collects far more data points to identify users for ad targeting than the third party clients do (check the permissions asked I jusy checked the iOS app’s permissions. It asks for no permissions outside of live activities, for integration with Siri, notifications and background app refresh.
- deminature 3y ago
  The iOS privacy permissions are different between the official app and Apollo: - Official app https://i.imgur.com/fjgKlVo.png https://i.imgur.com/fjgKlVo.png, see 'Data used to track you' - Apollo app https://i.imgur.com/icykgJP.png https://i.imgur.com/icykgJP.png, see 'Data not used to track you' 3rd party apps do not track users, which is a problem for an advertising-based business like Reddit.
  - scarface_74 3y ago
    Really? You don’t think Reddit can “track you” and use usage data when you’re signed in to Reddit with a third party app? Apollo doesn’t track you. But Reddit is tracking you either way.
    - deminature 3y ago
      Of course they can track you to some degree either way, however the official app is using an IDFA (advertising identifier) [1] whereas Apollo is not, which makes tracking in the official app significantly easier. The official app is also hoovering up other deanonymizing data like user location, which helps narrow down ad targeting even further. It's obvious why Reddit prefers you use their official app instead of a third-party alternative. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Identifier_for_Advertisers https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Identifier_for_Advertisers
      - scarface_74 3y ago
        The Reddit app does not ask for your GPS location. Reddit has the same very course idea about your location whether you use the official app or a third party app - your IP address. It’s also a system setting whether you allow an app to use IDFA - which according to at least FB - 80% of iOS users decline.
        deminature 3y ago
        Yes it does request location, it says in the image I linked above. Advertising identifiers are declined roughly 20% of the time according to Adjust: >In iOS 10, Apple introduced "Limit Ad Tracking" setting for users who do not wish to be tracked by advertising networks. If the setting is enabled the system returns a default all-zero id for that device. As of December 2020, it's estimated that approximately 20% of users turn on this setting.
        scarface_74 3y ago
        Your own linked says that location data is not linked to you. On iOS you can go to “Location” and Reddit doesn’t show up as even an option. And you cited an article about iOS 10 that came out in 2017. As of 2021, it’s 88% that opt out of tracking https://targetinternet.com/resources/how-apple-ios14-changes-have-affected-facebook-third-party-tracking https://targetinternet.com/resources/how-apple-ios14-changes...

scarface_74 3y ago

> The official app collects far more data points to identify users for ad targeting than the third party clients do (check the permissions asked I jusy checked the iOS app’s permissions. It asks for no permissions outside of live activities, for integration with Siri, notifications and background app refresh.

deminature 3y ago
The iOS privacy permissions are different between the official app and Apollo: - Official app https://i.imgur.com/fjgKlVo.png https://i.imgur.com/fjgKlVo.png, see 'Data used to track you' - Apollo app https://i.imgur.com/icykgJP.png https://i.imgur.com/icykgJP.png, see 'Data not used to track you' 3rd party apps do not track users, which is a problem for an advertising-based business like Reddit.
- scarface_74 3y ago
  Really? You don’t think Reddit can “track you” and use usage data when you’re signed in to Reddit with a third party app? Apollo doesn’t track you. But Reddit is tracking you either way.
  - deminature 3y ago
    Of course they can track you to some degree either way, however the official app is using an IDFA (advertising identifier) [1] whereas Apollo is not, which makes tracking in the official app significantly easier. The official app is also hoovering up other deanonymizing data like user location, which helps narrow down ad targeting even further. It's obvious why Reddit prefers you use their official app instead of a third-party alternative. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Identifier_for_Advertisers https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Identifier_for_Advertisers
    - scarface_74 3y ago
      The Reddit app does not ask for your GPS location. Reddit has the same very course idea about your location whether you use the official app or a third party app - your IP address. It’s also a system setting whether you allow an app to use IDFA - which according to at least FB - 80% of iOS users decline.
      - deminature 3y ago
        Yes it does request location, it says in the image I linked above. Advertising identifiers are declined roughly 20% of the time according to Adjust: >In iOS 10, Apple introduced "Limit Ad Tracking" setting for users who do not wish to be tracked by advertising networks. If the setting is enabled the system returns a default all-zero id for that device. As of December 2020, it's estimated that approximately 20% of users turn on this setting.
        scarface_74 3y ago
        Your own linked says that location data is not linked to you. On iOS you can go to “Location” and Reddit doesn’t show up as even an option. And you cited an article about iOS 10 that came out in 2017. As of 2021, it’s 88% that opt out of tracking https://targetinternet.com/resources/how-apple-ios14-changes-have-affected-facebook-third-party-tracking https://targetinternet.com/resources/how-apple-ios14-changes...