r/privacy rules, stats, and what to post
Know the rules before you post. So easy grandma can do it.
- To post
- No minimum in the rules
- To comment
- No minimum in the rules
- Self-promotion
- Banned
- Links
- Not mentioned in the rules
- Promo risk
- High
- From the rules, not from removal counts
- Community age
- 18 years
- Since Mar 2008
About r/privacy
A source-backed Rankhog guide to r/privacy: public rules, community context, posting fit, and startup-promotion risk before you publish.Checked from the r/privacy rules on Reddit.
r/privacy rules
15 rules, in the community's own words.
- 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 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.
What to post in r/privacy
What fits the room, and what gets removed.
Works well
- Posting an article from a credible source that analyzes a new data collection trend and discusses its privacy implications.
- Sharing an analysis of how a recent piece of legislation affects an individual's control over their personal information.
- Discussing the general privacy implications of a new technology category, without naming specific products or providers.
- Sharing a well-sourced article that explains the difference between privacy and security in a digital context.
Avoid
- Attempting to advertise or market any products or services, as this violates “R3: No Self-Promotion Or Other Promotional Content”.
- Naming, recommending, reviewing, or comparing specific VPNs, proxies, or cryptocurrencies, which is filtered out by “R9: No Discussion Of Specific VPN, Proxy, Or Cryptocurrency”.
- Posting about alternative mobile or phone operating systems or ROMs, which is strictly forbidden under “R8: No discussion of alternative mobile/phone OS/ROMs”.
- Using a title that editorializes or adds personal opinions, because “R5: Use Original, Credible Source And DO NOT Editorialize The Title” requires using the original article title.
- Asking for tech support or discussing specific security breaches, as this is outside the scope of “R2: Not Tech Support”.
Best hours to post in r/privacy
These hours are in UTC. The free tool converts them to your clock. Based on 48 top posts from the last 90 days.
- Sunday 17:00 UTC3 top posts
- Friday 15:00 UTC2 top posts
- Saturday 17:00 UTC2 top posts
The week, hour by hour
Top posts that went up in each hour (UTC), last 90 days UTC Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 00:00 1 1 1 01:00 1 1 02:00 1 03:00 04:00 1 1 1 05:00 06:00 1 07:00 1 08:00 1 1 09:00 1 10:00 1 11:00 1 12:00 1 1 1 13:00 1 1 14:00 1 1 15:00 1 2 2 16:00 1 1 2 17:00 3 1 2 18:00 1 1 19:00 1 1 20:00 1 21:00 1 1 1 22:00 1 23:00 1
What actually works in r/privacy
These are the highest scoring posts Rankhog observed in r/privacy over the past month, with what each one did differently. Rankhog watches this community continuously, so it sees posts when they are published and again as they climb.
- Upvotes
- 2.6k
- Comments
- 90
- Posted
- Nov 4, 2026
Why it worked
- Rankhog breakout tier from a local post-score estimate
- Short paragraphs rather than one block of text
- Almost no downvotes (99% upvoted)
- Upvotes
- 1.8k
- Comments
- 169
- Posted
- Oct 30, 2026
Why it worked
- Rankhog breakout tier from a local post-score estimate
- Leads with a concrete number
- Almost no downvotes (98% upvoted)
- Upvotes
- 1.8k
- Comments
- 59
- Posted
- Nov 2, 2026
Why it worked
- Rankhog breakout tier from a local post-score estimate
- Almost no downvotes (98% upvoted)
- Upvotes
- 1.7k
- Comments
- 35
- Posted
- Nov 5, 2026
Why it worked
- Rankhog breakout tier from a local post-score estimate
- Almost no downvotes (99% upvoted)
- Upvotes
- 1.4k
- Comments
- 332
- Posted
- Oct 30, 2026
Why it worked
- Rankhog breakout tier from a local post-score estimate
- Almost no downvotes (98% upvoted)
- Upvotes
- 1.2k
- Comments
- 59
- Posted
- Nov 1, 2026
Why it worked
- Rankhog breakout tier from a local post-score estimate
- Almost no downvotes (99% upvoted)
- Upvotes
- 1.1k
- Comments
- 36
- Posted
- Nov 2, 2026
Why it worked
- Rankhog breakout tier from a local post-score estimate
- Almost no downvotes (99% upvoted)
- Upvotes
- 1.0k
- Comments
- 20
- Posted
- Nov 6, 2026
Why it worked
- Rankhog breakout tier from a local post-score estimate
- Almost no downvotes (98% upvoted)
- Upvotes
- 927
- Comments
- 591
- Posted
- Oct 30, 2026
Why it worked
- Rankhog breakout tier from a local post-score estimate
- Upvotes
- 871
- Comments
- 128
- Posted
- Nov 3, 2026
Why it worked
- Rankhog breakout tier from a local post-score estimate
- Almost no downvotes (98% upvoted)
What r/privacy Is For
This community is for discussing privacy in the digital age. The main focus is on the collection, storage, use, sharing, and protection of personal information in online contexts. It is specifically not a security subreddit, and the discussion must remain nonpartisan. The goal is to discuss an individual's control over their data.
Rules That Matter Before Posting
The most important rules for a founder to follow are “R1: Stay On Topic”, “R3: No Self-Promotion Or Other Promotional Content”, “R5: Use Original, Credible Source And DO NOT Editorialize The Title”, “R7: No Closed-Source Or Beta Software”, “R8: No discussion of alternative mobile/phone OS/ROMs”, “R9: No Discussion Of Specific VPN, Proxy, Or Cryptocurrency”, and “R13: Requests To Post About Apps Are On Hold, This Includes Open-Source”.
What To Post
A good post should be based on credible sources and focus on the concepts of data privacy. You should post about how personal information is being collected or used in digital contexts, keeping the discussion grounded in verifiable information. Since promotion is banned, your post should be educational and analytical, not salesy.
What To Avoid
You must avoid fueling conspiracy theories or spreading Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt, as this violates “R4: Fueling Conspiracy Thinking Isn’t Healthy”. You must also avoid asking for or providing advice related to illegal or harmful activities, which is covered by “R10: No Discussion Of Illegal Or Harmful Activities”. Additionally, do not attempt to use sockpuppet accounts to manipulate votes, as this is against “R11: No Astroturfing Of Any Kind”.
A note from Anthony
The rules here are incredibly strict, especially around specific products like VPNs and mobile operating systems. It makes it clear that the moderators want the discussion to remain high level and conceptual, rather than focusing on specific tools or hacks. The emphasis on using original sources in titles also shows they value factual integrity above all else.
By Anthony Riera, founder and operator of Rankhog. Every guide is built from the community's own public rules and data, then checked by Rankhog's grounding audit before it goes live.
Common questions about r/privacy
What subreddits are similar to r/privacy?
Subreddits like r/privacy are r/hacking, r/cybersecurity, r/Scams, r/netsec, r/degoogle, r/AskNetsec, r/OSINT and r/brave_browser.
Is r/privacy about security or about how I control my personal data?
This community focuses on privacy, which is about an individual's control over their data, while security is about the protection of that data. It is not a general security subreddit.
Can I post here to promote my startup or software?
You cannot use this forum to advertise or market products, services, or any other venture, which means promotion is banned under “R3: No Self-Promotion Or Other Promotional Content”.
Can I run a survey here to gather data for my project?
Requests for surveys, questionnaires, or forms of covert data gathering are not allowed, and any such posts require prior approval under “R14: Fundraising/Surveys/Petitions Require Approval Before Posting”.
Subreddits like r/privacy
Other rooms for the same crowd.