Reddit quickly revises policy that would have permitted 'hateful activities' against non-minorities

The social media platform Reddit this week published, then quickly amended a new policy that would have allowed "hateful activities" to be leveled against non-minority individuals. 

The rule, presented on Reddit's website on Monday, originally declared that "communities and people that incite violence or that promote hate based on identity or vulnerability will be banned." Among the "identities" listed by Reddit were "race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, immigration status, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, or disability."

Yet the prohibition on "hateful activities" originally excluded a significant part of Reddit's user base. 

"While the rule on hate protects such groups," the policy declared, "it does not protect all groups or all forms of identity."

"For example," the website continued, "the rule does not protect groups of people who are in the majority."

The policy change has since been amended. It now reads that the rule "does not protect those who promote attacks of hate or who try to hide their hate in bad faith claims of discrimination."

No explanation is given on the site for the major change. 

Reddit did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Wednesday regarding the policy. 

Both the older and the revised rule state that "everyone has a right to use Reddit free of harassment, bullying, and threats of violence." 

"Communities and people that incite violence or that promote hate based on identity or vulnerability will be banned,"  Reddit also said.