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The growth of the Internet has been synonymous with the rise of social media platforms, which create spaces for connection, self-expression, and innovation. However, centralised platforms have notable drawbacks: They dictate policies, monetise user data, and often stifle innovation. Enter decentralised media, a paradigm shift in creating, sharing, and monetising content.
This blog will explore four leading technologies—DeSo, AT Protocol, ActivityPub, and Nostr—setting the foundation for decentralised media. These systems aim to empower creators, enhance user privacy, and foster open innovation in the digital world.
Decentralised media refers to content creation and distribution systems that operate without a single controlling authority. Unlike traditional platforms such as Facebook or YouTube, decentralised systems:
Grant Users Ownership: Creators retain control over their data and monetisation.
Encourage Interoperability: Different platforms and services can communicate seamlessly.
Reduce Censorship: Content moderation is often transparent and community-driven.
Enable Innovation: Open protocols invite developers to build new tools and services.
Let's break down the technologies driving this movement.
DeSo (Decentralized Social) is a blockchain protocol that decentralises social media. It offers scalable and transparent tools for social networking and gives users true ownership of their content and identity.
On-Chain Content: All posts, profiles, and interactions are stored on the blockchain, making them tamper-proof.
Creator Coins: A unique feature allowing users to invest in their favourite creators.
Low Fees: Optimised for microtransactions, ensuring minimal costs for tipping or posting.
BitClout, built on DeSo, allows users to buy, sell, and trade creator coins, creating a new dynamic for fan engagement and creator monetisation.
DeSo's architecture disrupts traditional advertising models by prioritising direct creator-to-audience interactions. This aligns with the broader Web3 ethos of decentralisation and self-sovereignty.
Developed by the team behind Bluesky Social, the AT Protocol (Authenticated Transfer Protocol) focuses on portable identities and decentralised social graphs.
User Control: Users own their data and can switch platforms without losing followers.
Interoperable Standards: Platforms built on AT Protocol can share a common social graph.
Algorithm Transparency: Users can view and choose algorithms to tailor their content feed.
Bluesky Social, a decentralised alternative to Twitter, uses AT Protocol to give users control over their identity and data.
The AT Protocol fosters competition and user-centric innovation in social media by decoupling user identity and social graph from any platform.
ActivityPub is a W3C-recommended protocol for decentralised social networking. It enables different platforms to exchange and display content seamlessly.
Interoperability: Platforms like Mastodon and PeerTube can communicate through a shared protocol.
Decentralised Hosting: Anyone can host an ActivityPub-compatible server.
Customisable Communities: Users can join communities with specific rules and moderation styles.
Mastodon, a popular Twitter alternative, uses ActivityPub to connect servers worldwide, creating a decentralised network of communities.
ActivityPub's open design supports diverse applications beyond social media, including blogs, forums, and collaborative tools.
Nostr (Notes and Other Stuff Transmitted by Relays) is a decentralised protocol emphasising simplicity and censorship resistance.
Public Key Identities: Users are identified by cryptographic keys rather than usernames.
Relay Model: Content is distributed via relays, which are easy to set up and run.
Censorship Resistance: Anyone can publish content as long as relays accept it.
Damus, a Nostr-based app, offers a decentralised Twitter-like experience, enabling uncensorable communication.
Nostr's minimalist approach lowers the barrier to entry for decentralised media while ensuring robust censorship resistance.
Feature | DeSo | AT Protocol | ActivityPub | Nostr |
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus Area | Social Media | Portable Identity | Interoperability | Resilient Messaging |
Blockchain-Based | Yes | No | No | No |
Censorship Resistance | Moderate | Moderate | High | Very High |
Ease of Use | Low | High | High | Moderate |
Decentralised media is still in its early stages, but its potential to revolutionise online communication is clear. As these systems evolve, they will:
Foster a competitive landscape where user choice drives platform innovation.
Reduce the power imbalance between platforms and users.
Create a more equitable internet where creators thrive.
Decentralised media is more than a trend—it's a necessary evolution in how we connect online. By understanding systems like DeSo, AT Protocol, ActivityPub, and Nostr, we can appreciate the growing potential of this space. Whether you're a creator, developer, or user, now is the time to explore decentralised media opportunities.
If you want to continue this discussion, join the conversation on BlueSky or Nostr!