I wrote about the push to "billionaire-proof" social media, including plans for a new nonprofit to build out "an entire ecosystem of interconnected apps" running on Bluesky's protocol. Gift link to today's Tech Brief: wapo.st/40fTk4X
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On the same day a group announced plans for a $30m nonprofit to kickstart a network of social apps based on Bluesky's protocol, Mastodon announced its own plans to transfer control to a nonprofit, with founder Eugen Rochko stepping back to focus on the product. wapo.st/40fTk4X
Ironically, while both Bluesky and Mastodon are working to build a future where social apps interoperate, the two companies use different protocols — which means their networks don't work with each other. wapo.st/40fTk4X
Mastodon founder Eugen Rochko told me he was not informed of the push by a group of technologists and celebs to spend $30m building out a Bluesky-based fediverse, and he admitted he's not thrilled about it. wapo.st/40fTk4X
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Despite the brewing Blu Ray vs. HD DVD sitch (or VHS/Betamax sitch for the OGs), some open-internet advocates like @anildash.com and @eli.bsky.social hailed both the Bluesky and Mastodon announcements as a sign of progress. wapo.st/40fTk4X
we're pumped about it! bsky.app/profile/jay....
Exciting to see new, independent projects spin up to decentralize the atproto ecosystem! Building alternative infrastructure is a big step towards giving users more choice and making the network billionaire-proof.