A forum on Reddit known as “BlackPeopleTwitter” is facing backlash for restricting Reddit contributors on particularly sensitive online discussions.

According to the New York Times, moderators have asked users to submit pictures of their forearms to prove they’re people of color before they can post or comment on the subreddit.

The forums moderators defend their restrictions and continue screening users, saying it’s necessary to prove people’s identify on a typically anonymous online platform. Moderators started the screening practice out of concern that white users were pretending to be black to give their comments more credibility.

Reddit users: what do you think about BlackPeopleTwitter’s screening process? Share your thoughts by calling 866-893-5722.

Guests:

Amy Harmon, Pulitzer-winning national correspondent for the New York Times covering the intersection of race and technology, who wrote the story; she tweets @amy_harmon 

Wesley Moreno, former moderator of “Black People Twitter” on Reddit, information technology professional