Instagram Threads is a newly announced Twitter alternative but it has a fundamental difference from Twitter. It will be decentralized, hopefully soon someday.
Threads will be part of Fediverse. Know what that is.
It will rely on ActivityPub protocol for this decentralized design. Let’s gather how would that work.
Instagram Threads is available for download on both Apple App Store and Google Play Store. So both Android and iOS users can download the app and sign up using their Instagram account. Now, on one of the initial walkthrough screens, you will see the mention of Fediverse. Here’s what it says:
“Future versions of Threads will work with the fediverse”. But, what is Fediverse? While we learn about that here, let’s also try to understand what ActivityPub is. You may see these two words pop up more on your social and web feeds going forward. After all, social media as we knew is getting a major upheaval. The key reason is the centralization and monopolistic behaviour of current social media companies.
To wit:
– Meta and its products like Facebook and Instagram try to lock you into their platforms. Their evasive algorithms, ad practices, and monetization tools gorge on user data. The users who have invested their time, effort, and sometimes money in these apps and sites feel entrapped and difficult to leave to alternate platforms.
– These centralized platforms could be swooped up by someone like Elon Musk. Or their functioning could be as per the whims and fancies of someone like Elon Musk.
To solve these issues, we now have Fediverse.
What is Fediverse?
Fediverse is a portamenteu of Federation (union) and Universe. It is a universe of multiple platforms/apps/sites with different servers in them. All of these servers as well as platforms/app/sites can connect with each other, letting its users connect to users of other servers and platforms. Instagram Threads users would be able to follow and interact with users and content of Mastadon.
These platforms would not be just related to microblogging. They could be about social networking, video hosting, image hosting, regular blogging or anything that has to do with web publishing.
Also Read: Instagram Threads download link goes live: Could this threaten Twitter?
Users can apply for and join any server they like. If they don’t get entry or want something different from the prevailing servers, they get to create and host their own servers (also called instances) with rules and policies they like. You could restrict others’ entry too based on your discretion. As you may be wondering, yes the cost associated to the setup and maintenance of servers has to be borne by the creator.
Now, all of this interconnected servers and whatnot is possible because of a protocol called ActivityPub.
What is ActivityPub?
ActivityPub
— Mastodon (@Mastodon@mastodon.social) (@joinmastodon) April 5, 2022
ActivityPub is a unified content protocol that acts as the underlying architecture for all these Fediverse apps/sites/platforms. Think of it as a common language for all posts on the Fediverse (regardless of the platform). So, this open standard allows for this decentralized functioning of Fediverse.
Unfortunately, at launch, Threads won't be supporting ActivityPub either. Instagram chief says, “We’re committed to building support for ActivityPub, the protocol behind Mastodon, into this app. We weren’t able to finish it for launch given a number of complications that come along with a decentralized network, but it’s coming”.
Also Read: Instagram clones Elon's app with Meta's social media might: Is Twitter in danger?
So soon someday, Threads too will be part of this Fediverse thanks to ActivityPub social networking protocol.
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G. S. Vasan
Vasan is a word weaver and tech junkie who is currently geeking out as a news writer at Digit. View Full Profile
