Meta is Building a Decentralized Social App
Meta will attempt to join any social media trend that starts to gain traction.
After observing the success of other platforms, the corporation has been seen to mimic a variety of formats, from Stories to brief videos. The business founded by Mark Zuckerberg is currently developing a decentralized text-based app.
In a statement, Meta acknowledged this development but withheld further information regarding the app’s anticipated release date.
For exchanging text updates, we’re investigating a standalone decentralized social network. We think there is need for a distinct platform where celebrities and producers may provide timely information about their interests, according to a Meta spokeswoman.
According to MoneyControl, this brand-new decentralized app, code-named P92, is still being developed. The app will allow users to log in using their Instagram credentials, according to materials seen by the newspaper. Those who don’t want to share their data with another Meta app may find this irritating.
According to a Platformer report, Adam Mosseri, the CEO of Instagram, will be in charge of the project. Before the software is made available to the public, the corporation has already enlisted the help of the legal department to identify any potential privacy issues.
The action by Meta is interpreted as an effort to create a Mastodon rival or a Twitter alternative. The latter became more well-known after Elon Musk assumed control of Twitter. The decentralized network utilizes the ActivityPub protocol and is a part of the Fediverse, a network of decentralized servers. According to MoneyControl, Meta’s new app also intends to support ActivityPub, making it simpler to interact with other instances like Mastodon.
Other more applications, such as Tumblr, Flipboard, and Flickr, have added (or intend to implement) support for ActivityPub.
Decentralization, however, is not just a feature of this protocol. Bluesky, a company financed by Jack Dorsey, unveiled its iOS beta last week. The Matrix protocol has also been accepted by messaging services like Rocket.chat.
But according to former Twitter engineer Blaine Cook, having rival protocols is a good thing, he told TechCrunch last year.
“I believe that both the variety of protocols and the variety of applications created on top of the protocols are crucial. Having said that, I’m confident that ActivityPub and Bluesky will be able to communicate with one another. The only thing impeding, for instance, the integration of Twitter and Facebook’s timeline has been the businesses’ protectionist practices, he pointed out.
It’s crucial to keep in mind that Meta has tried to create innovative apps and experiences, but they haven’t always been successful. It has put an end to experiments like the anonymous adolescent app honestly, the Cameo clone Super, the Nextdoor clone Neighborhoods, and the couples app in recent years. Campus, a smart social network for students, offers a video speed dating service. Sparked and the Lasso TikTok clone are just a few examples. Hence, it won’t come as a surprise if the new decentralized experience is discontinued a few years after it launches.
