Evan Selemani“The bird has been released”: It is with his words that the boss of Tesla, Elon Musk announced its acquisition of Twitter. However, for many, the bird has simply changed its cage... Even if Elon Musk is a supporter of cryptocurrencies (dogecoin above all?) the fact remains that (for the moment in any case), Twitter remains a good centralized platform….
With the current turmoil at Twitter, some of its clients are starting to look elsewhere. Decentralized social networks, such as Mastodon, are already starting to gain traction.
According to a study by MIT Technology Review, approximately 877 Twitter accounts were deactivated between October 000 and November 27. This is why the use of a decentralized social network becomes ever more relevant.
Are we at the dawn of a new transition? Are classic social networks living their last days? Maybe so and here are five decentralized platforms that offer an alternative to Twitter, which you can already use.
1/ Mastodon
Mastodon is a social network very similar to Twitter. Eugen Rochko founded the platform in November 2016, and it saw a rapid rise after the takeover of Twitter by Elon Musk. We now count 1,6 million active users worldwide, including 600 in France...And this is only the beginning.
Mastodon is a decentralized social network based on open source software. Its platform microblogging allows its users to publish “toots” (not to mention tweets) limited to 500 characters.
Due to its decentralized nature, Mastodon relies on individual instances created by network members. In fact, each instance functions as a community, with well-established rules. Therefore, users are not exposed to the entire network. They only hang out with those with whom they have made a deal.
In summary, the principle of Mastodon free software allows its users to modify the platform. The user pays to have the possibility to choose their auditorium, its readers and its moderation rules.
Bluesky loomed on the horizon as Elon Musk made numerous announcements about upcoming changes to his platform. Jack Dorsey, the former CEO of Twitter, announced the launch of the beta version of his future project on October 25.
Even if it is still in the testing phase, the project is attractive. When the beta phase launched, over 30 customers were added to the waitlist in less than 000 hours.
Project Bluesky was initiated in 2019, when its founder, Jack Dorsey, was still president and CEO of Twitter. His company is part of the transition from web 2.0 to web 3.0, with the aim of creating a version that is based on a fast and open peer-to-peer network.
The idea behind the project is to create a interoperable social network thanks to the technology of Authenticated Transfer Protocol (AT). This protocol, like email, allows different servers to communicate with each other.
Instead of having a single site manage the network, the AT protocol allows multiple sites to manage the network. This allows users to choose where their data is stored. They will then be able to choose between external boarding and independent accommodation.
The AT protocol defines itself as a new social networking protocol. It is focused on a pairwise network and has characteristics that distinguish it, including:
- Account portability : The user can easily move their account from one provider to another without having to lose any of their data.
- interoperability : It is based on a diagram called Lexicon, which allows you to solve coordination problems.
Nostr: The decentralized social network for bitcoiners
It's a new decentralized social network that's making a lot of noise at the moment. The project was funded by Jack Dorsey, the founder of Twitter. This then gave a lot of visibility to Nostr.
In addition, due to its deeply libertarian philosophy, this protocol particularly appeals to bitcoiners.
Read our article on Nostr, to know more.
Lens Protocol : The most decentralized of social networks
Lens Protocol is a project of a decentralized social network. This is an enhanced version for Web 3.0. Launched on The blockchain Polygon (MATIC), Lens describes itself as a composable and decentralized network. It facilitates the deployment of applications Web3.0 linked to social media.
Lens changes the perception of the world on social media platforms by improving the user experience. With its open source nature, Lens Protocol opens up a range of possibilities for developers. Indeed, it is easier to develop decentralized applications like social network, forum, mini-blog, etc.
Currently, more than 50 applications benefit from the Lens Protocol. For example, we find Social Link, SpamDAO, GoldenCircle, PeerStream, Swapify, Lens Booster, etc.
Stani Kulechov, a prominent figure in the cryptosphere, launched the Lens Protocol. The latter is the creator ofAAVE, one of the most well-known and used protocols in DeFi. He said he would begin work on the project on October 18, days after Twitter temporarily suspended his account for profanity (noting that he would become CEO in the meantime).
The main objective of Lens has always been the decentralization and user control over their personal data.
Lens allows users to have full control over the content they post. Additionally, the user profile is represented by a NFT. For artists and influencers, this platform can be a new source for monetize content via NFTs.
Additionally, Lens Protocol supports wallets like Dappradar and, Gnosis. The potential use of the Polygon network promotesinteroperability between platforms and blockchains.
Following the suspension of Donald Trump's Twitter account and the warning of 70 accounts belonging to the famous QAnon, an American far-right conspiracy movement, some activists have exiled themselves to other alternative platforms such as Gab. This social network quickly established itself as a new megaphone for Trump and the American far right. However, other European extreme right movements (particularly French) also find a suitable platform there...
Gab indeed benefited from the exclusion of the former American president on Twitter. Since then, the platform has seen an influx of new users. In October 2018, the platform recorded more than 700 000 users registered during the Capital riot. Currently, the trend remains essentially national.
DeSo (Decentralized Social) is a new blockchain intended to powering decentralized Web 3.0 social networks. Its main goal is to provide a solution to the problems created by centralized social media. Founded in January 2019, by Nader Al Najir, the project highlights decentralization.
The network has a “token utility” the DESO token. This token is useful in network security and operations across the ecosystem. Additionally, it offers content creators, artists and influencers a new way to generate income while maintaining interaction with their audience. Thus, users maintain total control and autonomy over their personal data and the content they view.
The decentralized social blockchain DeSo stores huge amounts of data on-chain. But also the activities on each decentralized social media application linked to DeSo. This data includes DESO token transactions and activities, messages, posted content, comments, etc.
To use the decentralized social network (DeSo) blockchain, users must create a “DeSo identity”. This is a portable digital profile which allows users to interact across multiple decentralized social media platforms.
Additionally, each DeSo identity maintains all account data such as history, content, positions as well as the user's profile. This makes it easier for users to interact with the entire DeSo ecosystem.
Users' followers also have the ability to view their influencers' activities through the Deso identity engine.
Conclusion on alternatives to decentralized social networks
Since the takeover of Twitter by Elon Musk and the suspension of the account of Donald Trump, the former president of the United States of America, a real exodus seems to have taken place since then. Several users have announced their departure from Twitter in order to join other social networks, often decentralized. The advent of web browsers 3 also push users to join and increasingly use decentralized social networks. This is, according to logic, the future of social networks.
This explains the enthusiasm of more and more users who are turning to platforms such as Mostodon, Lens, Nostr or DeSo. Other social media platforms are still in development, such as Bluesky by Jack Dorsey but nevertheless remains highly anticipated.
Other decentralized social networks are currently under development such as Post For example. You can register on the waiting list if you are interested. It is a social network founded by the former boss of the startup Waze. Post will allow users from all backgrounds can come together to “debate ideas, learn from experts, journalists and content creators, and have the freedom to communicate freely and have fun.”
Finally, even if the transition will not happen overnight, it seems that the future of social networks will be built on the concept of decentralization.
And you, do you already use this type of network? At ZoneBitcoin, please know that we are in the process of transition….
Note: No financial advice is given in this or any other article on zonebitcoin. This is information of which you are the sole judge and master. Be responsible with your investments and only invest as much as you are willing to lose.
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