A glitch has caused offensive slurs to be embedded in Reddit URLs. This offensive term isn't isolated to a single search query; a Google site search for the subdomain on Reddit revealed multiple links from various subreddits containing the term.
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Causing Offensive Slurs
A Reddit glitch is causing offensive slurs to be incorporated into its URLs, occasionally causing them to appear prominently on Google. The Verge discovered Reddit links with a subdomain containing unexpected characters and a derogatory term.
Despite the presence of unconventional characters, the link redirects to Reddit, displaying the Old Reddit layout on the page. The offensive term wasn't limited to a single search query. A Google site search for the subdomain on Reddit unveiled multiple links from various subreddits featuring the term.
Several Reddit users have reported encountering this issue in the past day. Furthermore, it was discovered that substituting other words for the one following "2goback-" in the subdomain still allows the URLs to function.
The offensive term doesn't surface in every Reddit-related search. I've only come across it in the particular query my colleague encountered and when specifically looking for the inappropriate URL on both Reddit and Google. During usual browsing, the Daily Guardian reported that Reddit links display normally.
Reddit, Google's Responses
Reddit has recently identified a bug that presents a potential security concern. As per Reddit spokesperson Courtney Geesey-Dorr, this bug allows the manipulation of words and phrases within post-page hyperlinks leading to Reddit.
The company is actively collaborating with partners to address and rectify the issue. It's worth noting that Google may index URLs it encounters, whether on or off the platform, and this could include arbitrary URLs generated due to the bug. The bug remains under investigation as Reddit works on a solution to mitigate its impact.
In response to the investigation, Google spokesperson Jennifer Kutz issued a statement indicating that the issue is tied to a configuration problem on Reddit, enabling the creation of alternative URLs for Reddit content.
Google recognizes the need to avoid surprising users with unintended content in search results and expresses a commitment to exploring solutions to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
As users await a resolution, the emphasis is on addressing the configuration issue to ensure a more accurate and secure search experience.
Also read: Reddit Eyes Potential IPO in 2023, Exploring Discussions with Investors
In 2018, The Guardian reported that Steve Huffman, the CEO of Reddit, stated that racist slurs are allowed on the platform in response to a user's question about the permissibility of open racism, including slurs.
This was revealed in a discussion thread following the release of the site's transparency report on Russian propaganda. According to Huffman, the use of such slurs does not violate Reddit's rules.
Huffman's contentious statement sheds light on the reason behind the existence of overtly racist and prominent communities on a platform with 542 million monthly visitors.
Related Article: Reddit CEO Steve Huffman Admits Editing Trump Supporters' Posts That Insulted And Criticized Him
