Reddit users can now hide subreddit activity on profiles, raising fears about unchecked harmful behaviour

Reddit has rolled out a new privacy feature that gives users unprecedented control over what appears on their public profiles. Announced on Tuesday, the update allows individuals to hide posts and comments from entire subreddits, rather than exposing their full posting history for anyone to see. This move marks a significant shift in how user activity is displayed on the platform, potentially reshaping Reddit’s open community dynamic.

Previously, Reddit profiles openly showcased every post and comment, a hallmark of the platform’s reputation for transparency and accountability. Now, users can selectively hide all activity from specific subreddit communities directly from their profiles. However, individual posts or comments cannot be hidden selectively—only subreddit-wide content can be filtered out.

These new options are accessible under the “curate your profile” tab within the settings menu. Here, users can toggle settings to conceal all public posts and comments, filter out content from particular subreddits, or hide anything flagged as Not Safe For Work (NSFW). Despite these new tools, posts and comments remain fully visible within their original subreddit communities.

The feature appears designed to encourage users to engage more openly without resorting to “throwaway” accounts—temporary profiles often created to shield users from backlash or exposure of sensitive or embarrassing content. Throwaways have historically complicated Reddit’s data collection efforts, especially following its recent IPO and pivot towards advertising and AI training.

Yet, the update has raised concerns about transparency. Moderators retain access to a user’s profile content for 28 days following any interaction—posting, commenting, modmail exchanges, or requests related to private subreddits. After this period, the user’s chosen visibility settings take effect, unless they engage with the subreddit again, resetting the timer.

This carveout is crucial for moderators who must review user behaviour to enforce community rules effectively. Still, some users worry the new privacy settings could enable bad actors to hide toxic or misleading behaviour across multiple communities, making it harder for average users to spot patterns of abuse or misinformation.

One Reddit user warned in the official FAQ thread, “This seems like it’s going to lead to bad actors being able to more easily hide their behaviour from the average user. Unless you’re a mod, you won’t be able to see that they’re posting inflammatory misinformation across a dozen different subs, for instance. Less transparency isn’t good.”

Jess Weatherbed, who covers internet culture and tech for The Verge, notes that while the privacy features offer control and protect users’ personal histories, they could also unintentionally shield problematic behaviour from the wider community. This balance between privacy and accountability remains a central tension in online platforms today.

Ultimately, Reddit’s new profile curation tools highlight ongoing efforts to empower users with control over their digital footprints while grappling with the risks of reduced visibility. Whether this innovation leads to healthier engagement or masks dangerous behaviour remains to be seen.