Less manipulation of content, no sorting via algorithms and more diverse communities––decentralised social networks offer a number of advantages! However, switching to a decentralised network can feel a little unfamiliar at first. Do I have to be part of the Fediverse straight away? What even is is the Fediverse? And which servers should I start with?
In this guide, we answer the most important questions about switching to decentralised social networks. If you want to find out more about the topic first, RESET already has a guide to decentralised networks. This guide covers networks including Mastodon, PeerTube and Pixelfed in detail.
How to properly deactivate your old social media accounts
Social networks such as Instagram or Twitter (now known as X) are repeatedly criticised. Many users have therefore switched to alternatives, but have forgotten one important thing: deleting their old accounts. It’s also crucial to request that data that the network has collected about you is deleted.
In Germany and Europe, companies must follow certain rules when you delete your account. These regulations are part of the ‘right to be forgotten’, which in turn is part of the GDPR. Personal data must be deleted in accordance with its original processing purpose. Companies must also erase data if individuals withdraw their consent.
What exactly is the ‘right to be forgotten’?
Article 17 of the GDPR describes the ‘right to erasure’ or the ‘right to be forgotten’.
This regulation means that individuals have the right to demand that their personal data is erased.
Its also necessary to delete personal data if, among other things:
the data is no longer required
the data subject withdraws their consent
the data subject objects to the processing and there are no longer grounds for the processing
the personal data has been processed unlawfully
More information about the right to erasure can be found in the plain text of the GDPR on the GDPR law page.
For EU citizens, this means that we can ask companies to delete our personal data. The Information Commissioner’s Office offers a ready-made letter requesting data erasure that you can download free of charge.
Saying goodbye to a social network means deleting your own account and then requesting that the network delete your personal data. However, deleting old accounts can also have negative consequences. A deleted account may no longer be displayed to our contacts––this causes problems when you switch to a new messaging platform and none of your friends can find you.
So, it can also make sense to use social media accounts that are no longer active to redirect your contacts to your new social media of choice. This means that established contacts won’t find a blank page when they visit your old social media channel.
How to get started with Mastodon, PixelFed and Co
The best way to switch to a decentralised social network is via the Fediverse. This is a federated network of different platforms that are interoperable with each other. Mastodon, Pixelfed, PeerTube and many other platforms, for example, use the same protocol and can therefore be used with the same login details. For example, with our RESET Mastodon account, we can also post images to Pixelfed––and vice versa.
One advantage of decentralised networks is that we’re free to choose which server we create our account on. The services Mastodon, Pixelfed, PeerTube and others all operate their own servers. As these are preset when creating a new account, this is where most users usually hang out. However, if you prefer to create your account in a different community, there aren’t any disadvantages. You can still view content on the networks regardless of the server you use.
The same applies to platforms that are part of the Fediverse. If users create an account with Mastodon, they can then also access the Pixelfed servers. This interoperability is a major advantage of this group of decentralised networks. Users only have to enter data such as their email address––and only have to remember one password.
Sustainable use possible through personal initiative
Decentralised networks are also more sustainable than big tech. As well as social and political disadvantages, the social media platforms of big tech companies also rack up high energy and water consumption. This is partly due to the large amounts of data that Instagram, Facebook and co generate, as their business model is based on the sale of usage data. In addition, they now also integrate AI features and come with a range of trackers and adverts. These are energy-intensive and increase our digital carbon footprint: read more about this in our interview with Jens Gröger from the Ökoinstitut.
How can we ensure a green digital future?
Growing e-waste, carbon emissions from AI, data centre water usage––is rampant digitalisation compatible with a healthy planet? Our latest project explores how digital tools and services can be developed with sustainability in mind.
Andy Piper from Mastodon, on the other hand, assumes that decentralised networks will not require energy-intensive AI integration in the future. And even if this turns out not to be true, users can customise the platforms thanks to open source. In addition, Mastodon, Pixelfed and the like do not have any advertising that needs to be tracked at great expense.
Universities, institutions and sustainable initiatives can also operate their own social media accounts on green servers. A university that obtains its energy from renewable sources can host teaching content on local servers via the decentralised PeerTube, for example. However, if they use YouTube or an alternative, they have no influence on how server farms are operated.
The post A Better Social Media: How to Successfully Switch To Decentralised Social Networks appeared first on Digital for Good | RESET.ORG.
