JanitorAI’s Proxy Problem: Why the Ban on Discussion is Driving Users Crazy
Alright, let’s be real. If you’ve spent any time in the AI chatbot world, especially on platforms like JanitorAI, you know that proxies are kind of a big deal. For many, they’re not just a ‘nice-to-have’ but an essential component to truly using the platform the way they want. So, imagine the collective eye-roll and genuine frustration when a platform explicitly bans any discussion about these critical tools. That’s exactly what’s brewing over in the r/JanitorAI_Official subreddit, and honestly, it’s not a good look.
The internet is supposed to be a place for discussion, problem-solving, and sharing experiences. When a community-driven platform starts stifling conversations about integral parts of its ecosystem, it raises some serious questions about user support and transparency. It feels less like community management and more like sweeping genuine user pain points under the rug. And as a long-time Reddit lurker and AI enthusiast, I’m here to tell you that these kinds of policies rarely end well for user morale.
I can wipe my butt with those megathreads because the chances that I will get an answer there is so insanely low 😭 Proxies are a big part of Janitor, without them so many people wouldn’t even be using it
(considering this post isn’t about non-working proxies [although they also ban proxy-recommendation posts even though they aren’t about non-working ones] maybe this won’t get banned)
Source: r/JanitorAI_Official
The Unspoken Truth About Proxies and AI Chatbots
The original Reddit post hits on a core nerve: proxies are not some obscure, niche topic for JanitorAI users; they are fundamental. JanitorAI rose to prominence precisely because it offered a less filtered experience than many competitors. But that unfiltered experience often relies on users connecting their own AI models via API keys and, yes, proxies. Without a stable, fast, and reliable proxy connection, many users can’t even access the models they need to make JanitorAI work as advertised, especially for those who want to interact with models that aren’t natively supported or to bypass regional restrictions.
When you prohibit discussions about a tool that is, for all intents and purposes, a prerequisite for many to even use your platform effectively, you’re essentially telling a significant portion of your user base to fend for themselves. This isn’t just about technical support; it’s about community empowerment. Users turn to forums like Reddit for peer-to-peer troubleshooting, recommendations, and shared knowledge. They’re trying to make the platform *work* for them, and by blocking these conversations, JanitorAI is inadvertently creating a hostile environment for problem-solving.
Think about it: if you’re struggling to get your proxy set up or trying to find one that performs well, where do you go? Naturally, you’d head to the community. But if every post gets removed, every question gets deleted, and every recommendation is banned, you’re left in the dark. It creates a vacuum of information, forcing users to either give up or resort to less official, less safe channels. This policy doesn’t eliminate the need for proxies; it just eliminates the ability to talk about them openly and safely within the official community spaces.
I’ve seen similar issues on other platforms where certain topics, even if sensitive, need a dedicated space for discussion. Trying to shut down conversation entirely rarely solves the underlying problem. It just drives it underground, making it harder for both users and developers to understand the real challenges people are facing. For a platform that prides itself on user-generated content and flexibility, this feels like a step backward in fostering a truly open and supportive community.
While we’re on the topic, here’s something that caught my eye recently. Storychat takes a different approach to some of these pain points.
You can try Storychat free with 500 SP and see for yourself.
