I don't use Reddit anymore, but I wanted to search something that I couldn't find anywhere. This is what I saw. After killing all the other apps, Reddit now is trying to force us to use their own spyware app.
The only decent way to browse Reddit nowadays is a private frontend called Redlib. You can use the LibRedirect browser extension or the UntrackMe Android app to automatically redirect all Reddit links to Redlib. It's better for privacy, since you don't need to access Reddit directly and thus your information isn't exposed, it works without JavaScript, it doesn't have ads or trackers and works behind a VPN or Tor. It also lets you view NSFW content without any limitations.
On android, I would recommend using Stealth or Geddit to browse reddit. Stealth has a mode where it scrapes old.reddit.com (and bypasses the API), and Geddit uses the RSS feed to pull content instead of API.
Downside is neither app will let you interact, but I don't have any desire to generate content for reddit anyways.
I think what's even more annoying is when you actually do use the app, every community you visit, it pops up a notification that says "turn on notifications so you don't miss updates from this community!"
And anytime you use a browser, you'll always be nagged to continue viewing through browser or use their app. It comes up so obnoxiously and I swear it slows you down. They also make the viewing experience subpar unless you use the app.
"Download our app and consume ads on it because... becaaaaauuuuuusssseeeeee, um, let's say SOMEBODY THINK OF THE CHILDREN? Maybe terrorism? Just pick a reason you'd believe and get the app, okay?"
Oh no! Our poor sensitive little eyes might be offended by something we see! I need a nanny-state to go through everything I have access to so I don't get confused!
I didn't read all the comments here so someone else may have suggested this but for my android when I'm met with this I can open the browser options and choose desktop site to bypass it. Still annoying but every once in a while I need info goddamnit
They're boosting their sign up numbers by putting porn behind it. I bet it's not even that racy, they just know that humans are motivated by something potentially titillating
trying to appeal to venture capitalists and investors by hiding the sketchy porn sites would be my guess, considering they got busted by cnn for underage stuff.