Why does Reddit push their app so hard?

submitted by Handroid7 from self.MeanwhileOnReddit

Reddit apparently badly wants people to use their app.

  • When opening the mobile website, Reddit asks whether I want to really keep using the website or open it in the Reddit app. (Can be deactivated in the quick menu.)
  • If a post was shared from the Reddit app, it also says “Shared from the Reddit app”, or similar.
  • RPAN (Reddit Public Access Service) can be accessed from their desktop website, but not the mobile website. For that, Reddit wants you to use their app.
  • Reddit chat? Reddit app.

I know, software apps can technically be more versatile and usually load faster than progressive web-apps, but why is Reddit so highly interested in users using their app?

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[–]magnora7 25 insightful - 2 fun25 insightful - 1 fun26 insightful - 2 fun -  (8 children)

Because the app has permissions to your data that a web browser doesn't. You download the app, and then they download your address book, web browsing habits on your phone, what apps you have, etc. Then they gather that data for 10,000,000 people in to a huge database and sell it, for a huge profit, to companies who broker that sort of data, who then usually sell it to companies like GE or the DoD. It then makes its way to the NSA, which is the type of thing they keep in those huge database centers in Utah.

Reddit makes money, that's why they push it. Just follow the money.

[–]Handroid7[S] 7 insightful - 1 fun7 insightful - 0 fun8 insightful - 1 fun -  (7 children)

As I already suspected.

A few months ago, Reddit administrators apparently exposed the GPS location of a Reddit (/r/JusticeServed) user, who posted something from, guess where, the Reddit app.

[–]magnora7 9 insightful - 1 fun9 insightful - 0 fun10 insightful - 1 fun -  (6 children)

Yup. And just to be clear, we gather zero data from our saidit app. I refuse to sell people's stolen data for profit, I think it's an abhorrent practice even though it's profitable for many companies. Saidit is about information transmission, not making money and selling people out like reddit is constantly doing. I don't think most people even realize reddit is doing this.

[–]Handroid7[S] 5 insightful - 1 fun5 insightful - 0 fun6 insightful - 1 fun -  (5 children)

I didn't know Saidit has an app too.

Also, thanks alot for being so committed to free information. Reddit sadly isn't. They sitebanned me for legitimately criticising a misbehaving moderator (Ani625).

But what are features only the app has? (and not the mobile website)

[–]magnora7 6 insightful - 1 fun6 insightful - 0 fun7 insightful - 1 fun -  (4 children)

https://saidit.net/s/SaidIt/wiki/index#wiki_apps_.26amp.3B_clients

Here's a link to the app, it explains more information about it. I honestly recommend using your phone browser to visit saidit, that's what I do. But if you want an app or you find that more convenient, we made that option.

[–]Handroid7[S] 6 insightful - 2 fun6 insightful - 1 fun7 insightful - 2 fun -  (3 children)

Very interesting article, thank you.

Unlike the SaidId app, the Reddit app also happens to be closed-source. <sarcasm>I wonder what they are hiding . . . .</sarcasm>

[–]magnora7 4 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 0 fun5 insightful - 1 fun -  (2 children)

Yeah it's sketchy I agree. Not to mention the code for the main reddit site itself stopped being open source in 2015. They're all about the profit now.

[–]Handroid7[S] 3 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 0 fun4 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

Indeed.

[–][deleted] 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

The 'canary' that was on the front page of reddit was removed in 2014. This indicates a FISA warrant or some other secret US government action occured. Then in 2015 reddit comes out with a new more aggressive content policy or whatever it's called then it goes downhill faster than normal. Twitter files and uncommon sense dictate governmental interference plays a key role in modern reddit, and the chinese purchase of a third of reddit stock comes after all this as well. The governments and companies in the US and seemingly everywhere else love their chinese money/bribes/authoritarianism.

[–][deleted] 7 insightful - 2 fun7 insightful - 1 fun8 insightful - 2 fun -  (2 children)

My guess is that there are no ad blockers for the app, so they want you there.

[–]brbmodule 3 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 0 fun4 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

xposed comes to mind. not sure if it supports recent android versions.

[–][deleted] 3 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 0 fun4 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

Way cool, TIL https://www.reddit.com/r/xposed/comments/6e1aeb/help_which_module_serves_the_best_ad_blocker/

I imagine that the usage of android ad blockers is far less than desktop browser ad blockers though.

[–]XOXO_HandBanana_XOXO 7 insightful - 1 fun7 insightful - 0 fun8 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

The app can access your phone's data, plus any databases connected to your phone. So they get your contacts, addresses, phone numbers, pictures, and more. They can then sell that data for profit. It's basically a semi-legal phishing scheme, and a huge pain in the ass for anyone who works in data security. One idiot puts an app on their phone, and next thing you know China somehow beat you to producing whatever product your company spend millions of dollars designing and testing.

[–]Orangutan 6 insightful - 2 fun6 insightful - 1 fun7 insightful - 2 fun -  (1 child)

Access to your phone?

[–]Handroid7[S] 5 insightful - 1 fun5 insightful - 0 fun6 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

Exactly.

[–]m68k 5 insightful - 2 fun5 insightful - 1 fun6 insightful - 2 fun -  (2 children)

Pretty much pushing malware.

[–]Handroid7[S] 4 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 0 fun5 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

https://saidit.net/s/funny/comments/38l8/advertisement_vs_reality_the_reddit_app_spyware/

[–]m68k 4 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 0 fun5 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

Yep, seen that. Pretty much how that one guy got doxx'd.

[–][deleted] 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

Late again but thought I'd add to this some. In addition to the aforementioned spying capabilities the running of an app in the background leads to battery wear and tear which leads to encouraging, by users noticing their battery holds a charge poorly, the replacement of the device sooner. This profits corporations especially since many if not most smartphones, in particular, don't have user changeable batteries. The cost of battery replacement can of course surpass the cost of a new device too, perhaps. Not to mention the burden of sending it somewhere if it's not a big-name flagship phone. Many just buy a new one.