In contrast to the centralized control of platforms like X and Facebook, Mastodon will become a non-profit entity, prioritizing user experience and community values.
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| Mastodon founder Eugen Rochko criticizes the control of tech giants like X and Facebook, and announces plans to transition the platform to nonprofit ownership. Image: Mastodon |
Berlin, Germany - January 13, 2025:
In a move that bucks the trend of tech titans consolidating power, Mastodon, the open-source social media platform, has announced plans to transition to nonprofit ownership. This decision comes as a stark contrast to the recent actions of Elon Musk at Twitter (now X) and Mark Zuckerberg at Meta, where the whims of individual billionaires have significantly impacted the platforms and their users.
Mastodon founder and CEO, Eugen Rochko, has been a vocal critic of this trend. He famously told Elon Musk to "get off the internet" two years ago and recently condemned Meta's recent moderation policy changes as "deeply troubling."
While Mastodon may not have the same user base as platforms like Threads or Bluesky, its transition to nonprofit ownership represents a unique approach to social media governance. By placing control in the hands of a non-profit entity, Mastodon aims to prioritize user experience, community values, and the long-term sustainability of the platform over profit maximization.
The transition to nonprofit status will take place over the next six months, with the company exploring the most suitable legal structure and jurisdiction in Europe. This move signifies a commitment to ethical and democratic principles in the realm of social media, offering a potential alternative to the current landscape dominated by powerful tech companies.