r/opensource's new rules banning AI and non-English users draw backlash
What happened
On 25 October 2026, the Reddit community r/opensource published new submission rules banning projects that use AI, are generated by AI or are aimed at AI, and effectively barring non-English members from speaking, on the grounds that "we cannot distinguish AI writing from AI translation". The rules also require a project to have existed for at least a year, with active maintenance and multiple contributors, so solo new projects can no longer ask for help. The rules drew strong backlash and prompted the creation of a rival community, r/trueopensource.
Written by AI from the reports · updated 5 h ago
Timeline
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- The Verge · AIr/opensource just banned AI, non-English speakers, and more
The mods at r/opensource posted new submission rules that, among other things, banned projects that use AI. The post made Saturday evening opens by saying, "If your project uses AI, is made by AI, or is intended for AI, it's not welcome on r/opensource.
Heat of this event
Current heat 9·Peak in the comparable range 10（Oct 25 22:00）·Change over 24 hours in the comparable range –
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