The decentralized social media platform Mastodon recently called on governments worldwide to communicate via open platforms.
Hannah Aubry, Community Director at Mastodon, argues that government agencies often communicate through companies' "censorship filters": "They let their message be determined by the whims of out-of-touch, overpaid people who believe they should have unchecked power. We cannot allow this."
She points out that Mastodon does give government agencies control over their own communications. "The promise of the fediverse is the promise of a better way forward: free from ads and manipulative algorithms, a place built by and for people like you, where our sovereignty is a right, not a privilege." Fediverse is a collection of open source (communication) platforms that are connected to each other via open standards.
Recently, outgoing Minister of Economic Affairs Karremans announced that the government is active on Facebook and Instagram because there are no suitable alternative platforms. Last week, the municipality of Amsterdam decided to start a TikTok account under the nameJongAmsterdam. "I don't see it as a choice for TikTok, but rather as a choice for young people," says Alexander Scholtes, alderman for ICT and Digital City. "To reach young people. Whether you like it or not, many young people are active on TikTok. And their numbers are growing. That's where they get their news. Their information and their worldview are shaped there."
Clickherefor the Mastodon post.
