Is Reddit Safe? Security Review
3/5
Overall Safety Score
★
★
★
★
★
Verdict: Reddit offers decent privacy through pseudonymity but has experienced security incidents and increasing data monetization as a public company. It is reasonably safe for casual use with proper account hygiene.
Reddit is one of the most visited websites in the world, functioning as a massive collection of community-driven forums. It allows pseudonymous participation, which provides some privacy benefits but also moderation challenges.
Security Ratings Breakdown
| Category | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Encryption | 3/5 | |
| Privacy | 3/5 | |
| Track Record | 2/5 |
Security Features
- Two-factor authentication
- Pseudonymous accounts (no real name required)
- Subreddit-level moderation
- Content filtering and blocking tools
- IP-based account security
Privacy Concerns
- Post-IPO data monetization through API licensing to AI companies
- Ad targeting based on subreddit activity and interests
- Post history creates detailed interest profiles even with pseudonyms
- IP addresses logged and available to law enforcement
Past Security Incidents
- 2018 data breach compromised email addresses and salted/hashed passwords from 2007 database backup, plus email digests
- 2023 BlackCat ransomware attack stole 80 GB of internal data via phishing attack on employee
- 2023 controversy over API pricing changes that shut down third-party apps
How to Stay Safe Using Reddit
- Use a pseudonym not connected to your real identity
- Enable two-factor authentication
- Don't share personally identifiable information in posts
- Use a unique email address for Reddit
- Periodically review and clean post history if desired
Safer Alternatives
- Lemmy (federated Reddit alternative)
- Tildes (invite-only, privacy-focused)
Last updated: February 10, 2026