Reddit, the popular social news and discussion website, has announced plans to introduce identity checks to combat the growing threat of AI-powered bots impersonating humans on its platform. The move comes after a team of researchers released a swarm of AI-powered bots on the "Change My View" subreddit, sparking outrage among users and raising concerns over the authenticity of online interactions.

The experiment, which posted over 1,700 comments adopting various personas, including abuse survivors and controversial identities, was widely condemned by Reddit's community and leadership. The company filed a complaint with the university that ran the experiment, calling it "improper and highly unethical." However, the incident highlighted the need for Reddit to take action to protect its users from bot manipulation and ensure the integrity of its platform.

Reddit CEO Steve Huffman announced that the company would start working with third-party services to verify users' humanity, a significant shift for a platform that has historically required minimal personal information to create an account. Huffman emphasized that the goal is to "keep Reddit human" and meet evolving regulatory requirements, while also protecting users' anonymity and personal information.

The move is likely to be unpopular with some users who value the anonymity that Reddit provides. Opponents of ID checks argue that sharing personal information with social media platforms poses data privacy and security risks, particularly for users who share sensitive or controversial content. The concern is that authorities may subpoena Reddit for user identities, potentially leading to legal consequences or harassment.

Reddit's decision to outsource verification to third-party services raises questions about which companies will be involved and what kind of personally identifying information users will be required to provide. The company has declined to provide details, but verification platforms like Persona, Alloy, Stripe Identity, Plaid, and Footprint typically require a government-issued ID to verify age and humanity.

The incident also highlights the broader implications of AI-powered bots on online discourse and the need for social media platforms to take proactive measures to ensure authenticity and transparency. As AI technology advances, the ability of bots to mimic human behavior and manipulate online conversations will only increase, posing a significant threat to the integrity of online communities and the democratic process.

Reddit's efforts to combat AI-powered bots and ensure authenticity will be closely watched by the tech industry and users alike. While the introduction of ID checks may be a necessary step to protect users, it also raises important questions about the balance between anonymity, data privacy, and online security in the age of AI.