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Reddit rules index · read 2026-09-26

Can you promote on r/privacy?

Self-promotion restricted Its rules restrict self-promotion. Posts that promote your own work are likely to be removed.

Privacy in the digital age (this is not a SECURITY subreddit, and PUBLIC data, closed source, etc is off-topic)

What its rules say about promotion

R3: No Self-Promotion Or Other Promotional Content
- Do not attempt to use this forum to advertise or market products, services, websites, social media accounts, or any other venture. Includes but not limited to: - E-begging, GoFundMe, or crowdfunding initiatives. - Affiliate marketing, referral codes or links. - Promotion of content creators: YouTubers, TikTokers, vloggers, bloggers, podcasters, etc. - Promotion of blog sites or other social media platforms. - Violating this rule can result in an immediate ban without warning.
R7: No Closed-Source Or Beta Software
- Promotion of closed source privacy software is not welcome in /r/privacy. It’s not easily verified or audited. Thus, your privacy and security is at greater risk.
R10: No Discussion Of Illegal Or Harmful Activities.
- Do not ask for or provide advice related to activities that are likely illegal or harmful in most jurisdictions, or that promote unlawful disruption. Examples include: - Sharing or soliciting illegal content - Encouraging or providing instructions for harmful acts like doxxing, harassment, hacking, or any other form of malicious behavior. - Discussion of illegal marketplaces or services. - Do not glorify violence by suggesting things like vandalism, destruction, murder, genocide, etc
R12: Be Civil And Respectful. Don't Promote Hate
- Focus on the ideas and information being presented, maintaining a respectful and constructive tone even when disagreeing. Remember that the goal is productive discussion. - Do not engage in personal attacks, insults, or ad hominem arguments. - No baiting, trolling, sealioning, or harassment - No hate speech. We have zero tolerance for bigotry, racism, any-phobic, sexist, ableist, etc. - Instead of responding to uncivil comments with your own incivility, please use the report button.
R13: Requests To Post About Apps Are On Hold, This Includes Open-Source
- Due to the constant flood of new app promotion, we're putting a hold on approving these types of posts for now. - This is not a sub meant for advertising, nor is it an app sub, but it's being overrun with developers from everywhere wanting to spam their apps here. We need to move back towards being about information and not a sub for the promotion, marketing, or shilling of everyone's apps.
R14: Fundraising/Surveys/Petitions Require Approval Before Posting
- This subreddit is a community for discussion, not a place for academic, commercial, or personal data collection. - Surveys, questionnaires, or forms of covert data-gathering posts are not allowed. This includes research for app developers, school projects, marketing, etc. - In an effort to keep this sub on topic and as spam-free as possible, unapproved posts will be removed. - We'll be upfront and say that most requests will be rejected or ignored.
All 15 rules of r/privacy
  1. R1: Stay On Topic
    - This is a privacy sub, not a general security sub. - The main focus includes topics such as the collection, storage, use, sharing, and protection of personal information in digital and online contexts. - Privacy is about an individual's control over their data, while security is about the protection of that data. While these two concepts do have some overlap, the emphasis here is privacy. - This sub is not a political battleground. Privacy is a nonpartisan matter. - No memes or similar spam
  2. R2: Not Tech Support
    - This is not a tech support sub. These posts may be removed. - We can't help with general app issues, account problems, or how to regain access to an account if you've forgotten your password or didn't set up recovery. For those kinds of specific product or service issues, please head to their dedicated subreddits or official support channels. - Topics like being hacked, having your accounts hijacked, or device security breaches are primarily security concerns, not privacy. - See Rule 1.
  3. R3: No Self-Promotion Or Other Promotional Content
    - Do not attempt to use this forum to advertise or market products, services, websites, social media accounts, or any other venture. Includes but not limited to: - E-begging, GoFundMe, or crowdfunding initiatives. - Affiliate marketing, referral codes or links. - Promotion of content creators: YouTubers, TikTokers, vloggers, bloggers, podcasters, etc. - Promotion of blog sites or other social media platforms. - Violating this rule can result in an immediate ban without warning.
  4. R4: Fueling Conspiracy Thinking Isn’t Healthy
    - Please don't fuel conspiracy theories or spread Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt (FUD) here. - There's a fine line between being privacy-conscious and veering into excessive paranoia and antisocial behavior. The distinction often lies in the presence of rationality, evidence, and the impact on daily functioning. - This also applies to speculating on questions that can't realistically be answered or proven. Let's keep discussions grounded in verifiable information.
  5. R5: Use Original, Credible Source And DO NOT Editorialize The Title
    - Refrain from editorializing titles; use the original title of the article you are posting. Any thoughts, feelings, or questions belong in the comments section. - Use credible sources - Avoid cherry picking political-leaning content - When news breaks, some blog sites will try hijacking the story and rewording the original article for clicks. Boo! Also, they do a worse job. Use the original source. - Blogs and other rando media portal-type sites will be blacklisted, and you may be banned.
  6. R6: Topic Already Covered
    - Before posting, check that a discussion has not already been started. - Use the search function, [check out our FAQ](https://www.reddit.com/r/privacy/wiki/index) and/or check new submissions.
  7. R7: No Closed-Source Or Beta Software
    - Promotion of closed source privacy software is not welcome in /r/privacy. It’s not easily verified or audited. Thus, your privacy and security is at greater risk.
  8. R8: No discussion of alternative mobile/phone OS/ROMs
    - Discussion of alternative mobile/phone operating systems **is NOT permitted**. All discussion should happen in their own sub(s). - Content related to alternative phone ROMs is subject to automatic filtering. Any attempts to circumvent these filters by posting leading questions, using coded language, acronyms, indirect references to discuss ROMs, or baiting other members into violating this rule, will be considered an evasion of this rule and **will result in an immediate ban**. No means no!
  9. R9: No Discussion Of Specific VPN, Proxy, Or Cryptocurrency
    - These 3 categories are some of the most highly shilled topics on the internet, so we don't want that constant spam here. - It's fine to discuss these categories in general terms (e.g., "What are the privacy implications of using a VPN?"), but avoid naming, recommending, reviewing, or comparing. - We automatically filter out content that makes mention of specific providers, products, and services. - **Any attempt to circumvent automod filters can result in an immediate ban.**
  10. R10: No Discussion Of Illegal Or Harmful Activities.
    - Do not ask for or provide advice related to activities that are likely illegal or harmful in most jurisdictions, or that promote unlawful disruption. Examples include: - Sharing or soliciting illegal content - Encouraging or providing instructions for harmful acts like doxxing, harassment, hacking, or any other form of malicious behavior. - Discussion of illegal marketplaces or services. - Do not glorify violence by suggesting things like vandalism, destruction, murder, genocide, etc
  11. R11: No Astroturfing Of Any Kind
    - Do not use sockpuppet accounts to manipulate votes or project a narrative. - Privacy is a nonpartisan matter. Discussing privacy-related legislation is fine, but do not attempt to use it as an excuse to push your political agendas or stir up political bickering. - Posting leading questions in an attempt to open the door to shill products and services is not allowed. We are well aware of the constant attempts to push products and services through the use of fear mongering.
  12. R12: Be Civil And Respectful. Don't Promote Hate
    - Focus on the ideas and information being presented, maintaining a respectful and constructive tone even when disagreeing. Remember that the goal is productive discussion. - Do not engage in personal attacks, insults, or ad hominem arguments. - No baiting, trolling, sealioning, or harassment - No hate speech. We have zero tolerance for bigotry, racism, any-phobic, sexist, ableist, etc. - Instead of responding to uncivil comments with your own incivility, please use the report button.
  13. R13: Requests To Post About Apps Are On Hold, This Includes Open-Source
    - Due to the constant flood of new app promotion, we're putting a hold on approving these types of posts for now. - This is not a sub meant for advertising, nor is it an app sub, but it's being overrun with developers from everywhere wanting to spam their apps here. We need to move back towards being about information and not a sub for the promotion, marketing, or shilling of everyone's apps.
  14. R14: Fundraising/Surveys/Petitions Require Approval Before Posting
    - This subreddit is a community for discussion, not a place for academic, commercial, or personal data collection. - Surveys, questionnaires, or forms of covert data-gathering posts are not allowed. This includes research for app developers, school projects, marketing, etc. - In an effort to keep this sub on topic and as spam-free as possible, unapproved posts will be removed. - We'll be upfront and say that most requests will be rejected or ignored.
  15. R15: Moderator Discretion
    - Moderators have the sole discretion to remove any content that is deemed not a fit for this community, even if it doesn't explicitly violate another rule. Stating this isn’t even required on Reddit. - This includes content we deem unhelpful, low-effort, or disruptive. - If you find yourself in frequent disagreement with our moderation decisions or community guidelines, we encourage you to seek a more suitable subreddit, or create your own. Reddit consists of over 100,000 subreddits.

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The verdict is our reading of r/privacy's rule text on 2026-09-26. Rules change and moderators decide: read the current rules before you post. Not affiliated with Reddit or r/privacy.