It's not a matter of opinion, the recording did not include a threat or blackmail. Asking to be bought, even if done so coyly, is neither extortion nor blackmail.
Blackmail is a threat of revealing damaging information. That didn't happen.
Extortion is a threat of consequences. However it's clear that Selig can't enact consequences on Reddit. It's Reddit who can disable Apollo's API key. Selig can't render any kind of damage onto Reddit. This is further supported by the fact that Selig has no choice but to discontinue the app and will take a loss on the refunding of subscriptions.
Additionally the provided context of the conversation matches the discussions that Reddit has been having with other developers: i.e. API access and the future costs of that.
If one wishes to set a low bar for extortion: Then it would be Reddit attempting to extort 3rd party app developers by levying unrealistic API access costs, effectively ending their businesses. A concept that could actually hold water as Reddit develops a competitor app.
Blackmail is a threat of revealing damaging information. That didn't happen.
Extortion is a threat of consequences. However it's clear that Selig can't enact consequences on Reddit. It's Reddit who can disable Apollo's API key. Selig can't render any kind of damage onto Reddit. This is further supported by the fact that Selig has no choice but to discontinue the app and will take a loss on the refunding of subscriptions.
Additionally the provided context of the conversation matches the discussions that Reddit has been having with other developers: i.e. API access and the future costs of that.
If one wishes to set a low bar for extortion: Then it would be Reddit attempting to extort 3rd party app developers by levying unrealistic API access costs, effectively ending their businesses. A concept that could actually hold water as Reddit develops a competitor app.