Decentralized Social Media
Decentralized social media refers to social networking platforms built on decentralized technologies, such as blockchain or peer-to-peer networks, where control and data ownership are distributed among users rather than centralized in a single entity. These platforms aim to enhance privacy, resist censorship, and give users more control over their content and interactions by eliminating reliance on central servers or corporate oversight. Examples include Mastodon, Bluesky, and platforms built on protocols like ActivityPub or the AT Protocol.
Developers should learn about decentralized social media to build applications that prioritize user sovereignty, data privacy, and interoperability in an era of growing concerns over centralized platform monopolies and data misuse. It is particularly relevant for projects focused on censorship-resistant communication, federated networks, or integrating social features into decentralized applications (dApps) on blockchain ecosystems. Use cases include creating alternative social networks, enhancing existing apps with decentralized identity or content sharing, or contributing to open-source protocols that power these platforms.