The CEO of Mastodon, Eugen Rochko, stated in a recent discussion on StartupSuperb’s Equity podcast that social media should operate on protocols instead of platforms, allowing users the freedom to select and switch between various platforms.
Rochko is advocating for a decentralised model of social media, which empowers users with greater control over their data and their online experiences, including the types of content they are prepared to accept. He has recently voiced concerns regarding Meta’s contentious modifications to its content moderation policy, particularly the changes regarding the types of content permitted in the name of free speech. Rochko believes much of this content can be classified as hate speech.
In the latest episode of Equity, Rebecca Bellan engaged with Rochko to discuss the implications of these changes for users and to investigate how decentralised platforms such as Mastodon may provide a feasible alternative to mainstream entities like Meta and X.
Tune in to the complete episode to discover more about:
- Mastodon’s decision to evolve into a nonprofit organisation in Europe.
- The difficulties surrounding interoperability with platforms such as Threads and TikTok—especially as TikTok is poised to “go dark” in the U.S. over the weekend—and the significance of user autonomy.
- Other decentralised platforms worth monitoring. (For a clue: Pixelfed is included.)
Subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify and other podcast platforms. Keep in touch with Equity on X and Threads, at @EquityPod. For those who prefer reading, the full transcript of the episode and our comprehensive archive is available here.