Well without a public API it may be quite impossible to mass delete stuff (for non EU-citizen at least, EU citizens can always do a GPDR delete request -otoh you basically have to connect your reddit account with your real name to do that so big nope as well) in the future, so i fully understand why so many people did it

Will it cause collateral damage? Yes. Am i happy I did it when it was still possible? Fuck yes.