> Bots are a big problem.

That's the case everywhere, FB, YT, even on HN. Not all topics are equally affected but most anything of significance is.

> we find out that reddit leadership refused to act on bots because they were afraid of losing the inflated numbers they brings

Reddit's leadership is in he same boat as everybody else, I would suggest avoiding moral accusations when there are systemic conflicts of interest at play.

I’m pretty convinced the bots are Reddit themselves. I used to enjoy posting in-character as multiple different characters on /r/VentureBros … but I stopped years ago now. Recent visits showed them essentially re-using and recycling my comments and persona as if new. So yeah, I think its Reddit themselves.