Exploring Threads by Instagram and the Fediverse

Red
Dec 18, 2023
6 min read

Updated: Oct 1, 2024

With its arrival in the EU, Politdigm recently joined the social media platform "Threads by Instagram", created by Meta. However, before exploring the new platform, we conducted some research to understand how it works. During our research, we came across some unfamiliar terms, such as the Fediverse. This led us to discover a wealth of information about social media and social networking. In this article, we aim to explain what the Fediverse is and how Threads could pave the way for a safer and better generation of social networking.

Social Media

Social media, in its simplest form, is a digital platform that facilitates the creation and sharing of information, ideas, interests, and other forms of expression. It was initially designed to be a network where people could communicate, share their interests, and foster a sense of community. The original idea of social media was to create a space where people could connect, regardless of geographical boundaries. It was meant to be a platform for sharing ideas, interests, and experiences, fostering a sense of community and global connection.

However, over time, the landscape of social media has evolved. Today, it is a platform that promotes misinformation, hate speech, and divisiveness. The rise of data capitalism has led to users being viewed as commodities, with their data being collected, analyzed, and used for targeted advertising [1]. Algorithms [2] control much of what we see, often promoting content that will keep us engaged on the platform, regardless of the quality or truthfulness of that content. This can lead to echo chambers, where users are exposed primarily to information that reinforces their existing beliefs, potentially leading to polarization and misinformation [3].

It's important to remember that while these issues exist, social media also has the potential to be a force for good, providing a platform for positive social movements, instant communication, and the sharing of diverse ideas. The issue is that the people who run these social media platforms are not motivated by wanting to create a platform to connect people, but rather are motivated by profits.

Fediverse

The Fediverse [4] is a network of social media platforms that operate under a federal model. The name "Fediverse" is a combination of the words Federal and Universe, suggesting the nature of this network. The Fediverse differs from traditional social media platforms in that all of its platforms use the same protocol. This means that all platforms are based on the same language, allowing them to communicate seamlessly with each other. This is similar to how email works, where you can have an email address from one provider (like Gmail) and still send and receive emails from addresses hosted by other providers (like Outlook).

In the Fediverse, the company, such as Meta in the case of Threads, does not own the server on which their platform is based. Instead, Meta only hosts their platform on the Fediverse, which means that Threads is just an instance of the Fediverse. This decentralized nature of the Fediverse means that there is no central company controlling the network. Instead, the network is made up of many independent instances, each with its own rules, moderation policies, and user communities.

The Problems with Threads in the Fediverse

It is not currently possible for Threads to interact with other instances, but it may be possible in the future. This would allow Threads to communicate with other instances, resulting in a more interconnected and diverse social media ecosystem. However, Instagram's explanation of how Threads will work with Fediverse raises some concerns [5].

According to Instagram, changes made to posts on one server may not affect posts on other servers. So, while changes made to posts on Threads will appear on Threads, they may not necessarily show up on other servers. For instance, if a post is deleted on Threads, it will no longer be visible on Threads and Threads will ask other servers to delete it. However, the post may still be visible on other servers that Threads does not control.

This raises the issue of direct control over posts on other platforms of the Fediverse that a user did not sign up for. However, this is not an issue of Threads but rather a shortcoming of the way Fediverse works. Regardless it is something important to keep in mind.

Threads impact on Social Media

With the purchase of Twitter by Elon Musk, many people have been unhappy with the current state of the platform, us included. Because of that the platform "Mastodon" [6] started gaining some traction, as some argued it would be the replacement for Twitter. Mastodon is an open-source Fediverse microblogging platform that is made up of independent, user-managed servers. When you create an account, you choose a server, which generates your profile's address.

In some ways, Mastodon is more similar to something like Discord where you have different communities, rather than Twitter, at least for those who casually use social media. Threads are different in that way. Threads is one single server where everyone is in one place. So, whilst Threads is not the pioneer of Fediverse Social Media platforms, due to its connection to Instagram and its ease of use we can't help but consider that for many it is the best way to be part of the Fediverse.

Many people consider Threads as the best and most user-friendly alternative to Twitter. This is reflected in its impressive growth rate, as it has managed to attract 100 million users in under five days, making it the fastest-growing social media platform ever [7].

Threads offers a refreshing alternative to Twitter, which has gradually become a platform filled with misleading advertisements and right-wing ideologies. In our opinion, Threads could mark the beginning of a new era of social media, where a centralized model like the Fediverse is favored. This would result in a safer social media environment for users, as they would have more control over their data. It would also mean that large, capital-addicted corporations would have less control over our online experiences.

Our Suspicions/Issues with Meta

Upon careful consideration of all the points we have discussed earlier, it is challenging not to harbor suspicions about Meta's intentions. As we know, the company has a notorious reputation for consistently violating people's trust by collecting their data and selling it to the highest bidder. This practice is their primary business model, and they have been doing it for years. Given this history, it begs the question: Why would they suddenly start investing in a platform that hypothetically would prevent them from doing what they are known for? What is their end game, and what exactly are they trying to achieve?

While it is impossible to predict the future with certainty, there is one possible answer that seems plausible. Meta seems to be aiming to further develop its monopoly of social media. It is already the owner of the two most prominent social media platforms in the world: Facebook and Instagram. Since it has created Facebook and Instagram Reels, it is clear that Meta aims to have an alternative to TikTok as well. Therefore, the only thing left for them to do is to have a replacement for Twitter since Facebook no longer holds that function.

While Threads' success could be great for changing the current social media landscape, it would also mean that Meta would hold an incredible amount of power in their hands, by owning all the main social media platforms. This level of control over social media could have significant implications for how people connect, communicate, and consume information online. It is a cause for concern, and we should remain vigilant about Meta's actions in the future.

Conclusion

The arrival of Threads to the EU has generated a lot of buzz, and it seems to be much more than just another fleeting social media platform. It remains to be seen if it will stand the test of time, but one thing is for sure: Threads is currently the most user-friendly and efficient way for people to join the Fediverse that takes away the power from large corporations.

This is a positive development as it promotes user privacy and security and prevents corporations from exploiting user data for their gain, which is Meta's favorite pastime. It will be interesting to see how Threads evolves and whether it can truly create a paradigm shift when it comes to how Social Media is.

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