Eugen's vision for Mastodon was centered on user choice, community, and freedom. Now, we're formalizing that commitment with the formation of a new European non-profit entity. Eugen will transition to an alternative role in the team, with a new CEO to be announced very soon. Stay tuned for updates on these changes.

#MastodonNonProfit

Yours sincerely,

John Mastodon.

Honestly, I'd love to see Mastodon as a viable Twitter alternative, but by now I think it never will be. It's a completely different experience. When I open Mastodon, I see a maze of text, 3rd degree replies to I don't know what, and a star button that essentially nobody but me uses, because it does (almost) nothing.

I understand that some people like this type of experience, but me (and a lot of other ex twitter users who went to bluesky instead) would've preferred something else.

Great to see the continued commitment to open, decentralised technologies in the EU specifically.

We have known for a long time, but it feels more prevalent than ever, that social media can not be controlled by the US. Looking forward to it!

Please explain new Euro not-for-profit organization. Is this a trust that controls the mission?

"We will continue day-to-day operations through the Mastodon GmbH for-profit entity, which will become wholly owned by the new European not-for-profit entity. The Mastodon GmbH entity automatically became a for-profit as a result of its charitable status being stripped away in Germany. The existing US-based non-profit entity, the 501(c)(3), will continue to function as a fundraising hub."

Placing IPR in a non-profit trust is a model that should be used more extensively.

Such a trust's constitution can enshrine their future use, including licensing within specified constraints, ensuring all future use of the copyright, patents or brands contribute to social and community benefit.

"The people should own the town square"

Who could say it any better? Social media has to be a part of our public infrastructure or else it is just a tool of public manipulation and oppression.

It is antithetical for social media to be owned by a corporation.

You should also consider changing hosting providers, outside the United States.

#Mastodon #Fedi #Fediverse #ActivityPub

This is great.

What I find amazing and very frustrating is that even when opinion journalists address these issues seriously and thoughtfully they almost always fail to mention Mastodon -- as here:

"We need to support the creation of other platforms that are designed not to amplify lies and hate, or to just suck our personal data and sell us things, but to promote a better conversation."

theguardian.com/technology/202…

whew! this is good. this is really, really good. had no idea Germany stripped y’all of the non-profit status and that’s why you had to incorporate in the US.

so this will ensure the USA has no jurisdiction over Mastodon the software company, the software, correct?

the only quibble would be the TLDs: .social and .online are controlled by USA providers. there’s still vulnerability to abuse of power with the TLDs being under USA jurisdiction.

it's difficult to take these steps right, with all the legal and organizational implications they carry.

I wish you good luck.

Mastodon is the platform that deserves our presence and attention (to followers over the skies).

Mastodon will "transfer ownership of key Mastodon ecosystem and platform components [ ] to a new non-profit organization, affirming the intent that Mastodon should not be owned or controlled by a single individual."

"where people can build [] online communities free from ads, data exploitation, manipulative algorithms or corporate monopolies."