Reddit announced on Tuesday the rollout of a new privacy-focused feature that gives users more control over what appears on their public profiles.

The update introduces a “Content and Activity” setting that allows individuals to customize the visibility of their posts and comments across different communities on the platform.

Previously, all user posts and comments were publicly visible by default. With this update, users can now choose to hide all their content, including activity on their own profiles, or selectively display posts and comments from specific subreddits while keeping others private.

The feature is part of a new “Curate your profile” section within user settings. Here, users can not only manage the visibility of their content but also toggle options related to NSFW content and display or hide their follower count.

While content remains visible within subreddits themselves, this new level of profile customization adds a layer of privacy not previously available on the platform. Moderators will still retain limited access: they’ll be able to view a user’s public post and comment history for up to 28 days, a measure Reddit says supports moderation efforts and community integrity.

The update also includes revamped activity summaries for users, showing statistics like Karma count, total contributions, account age, and active communities, adjusted to reflect the new visibility settings.

Reddit’s decision to introduce more nuanced privacy controls comes as the platform continues to evolve post-IPO, with increased emphasis on advertising and user engagement. By allowing users to obscure sensitive content from their profiles, the platform may encourage broader participation, especially in communities focused on personal issues like health or relationships, where anonymity and discretion are often valued.

However, Reddit reminds users that the new feature does not offer complete anonymity. Usernames will still be visible alongside posts and comments in the subreddits themselves, and profile owners may temporarily view a commenter’s full history if a user interacts directly on a profile post.

The move marks a significant shift in Reddit’s approach to user privacy aiming to balance transparency with personalization as the platform grows into a more commercial, ad-driven space.