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Equity

'Social media should be built on protocols, not platforms,' according to Mastodon's CEO

Jan 15, 2025
Eugen Rochko, CEO of Mastodon, a decentralized social networking platform, discusses the implications of Meta's recent content moderation changes. He emphasizes the importance of transitioning to a non-profit model to enhance community involvement. Rochko advocates for protocols over platforms to foster healthier online discourse. The conversation also delves into the challenges of user transition from mainstream platforms and highlights the need for interoperability among decentralized social media networks, including emerging alternatives like Pixelfed.
28:02

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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Mastodon's transition to a non-profit structure in Europe aims to enhance community involvement and sustainable growth through shared governance.
  • The recent changes in Meta's content moderation policies raise concerns over increased hate speech and misinformation, highlighting the need for decentralized alternatives.

Deep dives

Mastodon's Non-Profit Transition

Mastodon is transitioning to a non-profit structure in Europe, where all assets and trademarks will be owned by this new organization. This change aims to minimize conflicts between the project's leadership and its community, especially regarding trademark enforcement. The shift is intended to enhance fundraising efforts, as support is often limited when a single person owns the project. By establishing a board of directors, the community gains more assurance about Mastodon's future, allowing for a sustainable and collaborative growth model.

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