Mastodon vs.Big Tech: Can Decentralized Social Media Break the Algorithm’s Grip?
By archyde.com News Team – Published April 5, 2025
As concerns mount over the influence of tech giants and their algorithms on public discourse, decentralized social media platforms like Mastodon are gaining traction. But can thay truly offer a viable option to the established order? We delve into the arguments.
The Influence of Tech Monopolists: A Growing Concern
The pervasive influence of tech monopolies is under increasing scrutiny in the United States. From data privacy to the manipulation of public opinion,the concerns are multifaceted and deeply rooted.
Erik Uden, a proponent of decentralized social media, argues that the control wielded by tech monopolists is profound. “I think control can practically not be overestimated,” uden states. “Actually,we cannot even record how much voting fraud is likely to happen via these platforms. With social networks, they dominate something that was once referred to as a public space. That was never right, but now we are now experiencing the * open * instrumentalization of this room. Companies are profit -oriented and therefore available. Billionaires promote Trump because Trump promotes her platforms exactly with what you need: excitement, clicks, views.”
This “instrumentalization,” as Uden calls it, raises serious questions about the integrity of online discussions and the potential for manipulation, especially in the context of U.S. elections. The debate over online platforms’ role in the 2016 and 2020 elections continues in 2025, with many Americans questioning the fairness and accuracy of data disseminated through these channels. The controversy surrounding the January 6th insurrection and the role social media played in its organization further amplified these concerns, influencing the recent congressional hearings in late March 2025 on misinformation governance.
The Rise of Decentralized Platforms: A Response to Centralized Control
In response to these concerns, a growing movement is advocating for decentralized social media platforms.These platforms, built on open-source technology, aim to distribute power and control away from centralized entities.
Uden explains the impetus behind this movement: “That is why we have decided to develop social platforms where it is fundamentally unachievable that someone bought and abuse them!”
Mastodon, for example, operates on a federated network, meaning it’s composed of independently run servers that can communicate with each other. this structure makes it arduous for any single entity to control the platform or censor content.
| Feature | Centralized Platforms (e.g., facebook, Twitter/X) | Decentralized Platforms (e.g., Mastodon) |
|---|---|---|
| Control | Controlled by a single company | Distributed across multiple independent servers |
| Advertising | Heavily reliant on advertising revenue | Typically avoids advertising |
| Data Privacy | Data often collected and used for targeted advertising | Users have more control over their data |
| Algorithms | Algorithms curate content based on engagement metrics | Often lacks algorithms, prioritizing chronological feeds |
| Censorship | Subject to centralized censorship policies | Censorship policies vary by server, offering more user choice |
Mastodon: How It works
While Mastodon may appear similar to Twitter/X on the surface, its underlying structure is fundamentally different. “The differences to Twitter/X cannot be recognized on the surface,but structurally: Mastodon belongs to anyone,has no advertising and cannot sell your data. It is a public asset and is developed together,” Uden elaborates.
The decentralized nature of Mastodon offers several potential advantages:
- Resistance to Censorship: Because no single entity controls the entire network, it’s difficult to shut down or censor specific content.
- User Control: Users have more control over their data and can choose servers with policies that align with their values.
- Community governance: Each server is governed by its own community, fostering a sense of ownership and duty.
Uden emphasizes this point, stating, “The mastodon network is divided into tens of thousands of servers worldwide, but it makes no difference to which this server you are registered, because it works * like * a large platform. You can follow everyone anywhere – this makes manipulation and censorship.”
The Algorithm Question: Reclaiming Control of Your Feed
One of the most notable criticisms of mainstream social media platforms is their reliance on algorithms to curate content.These algorithms,designed to maximize engagement,can often prioritize sensational or polarizing content,contributing to echo chambers and filter bubbles.
Uden highlights the potential dangers of these algorithms: “Such as,if you open a contribution from a Marxist organization on Twitter,Facebook and Co., the top comment is almost always a hatred of a new right-whether it is indeed relevant for you or not.”
He argues that the primary هدف of these algorithms is to keep users engaged, nonetheless of the consequences: “In part, one can say that the intention is as it benefits the billionaire ideologically, but the perfidious goes deeper: the main purpose of the algorithms is to increase the length of stay on their platform, as more advertising can be shown. The algorithm shows you something that triggers a strong emotional reaction – mostly anger, hatred, uncertainty, fear. That awakens attention.”
This constant exposure to emotionally charged content can have a detrimental effect on mental health and contribute to political polarization. Recent studies from the Pew Research Center show that Americans who rely heavily on social media for news are more likely to hold extreme political views and experience higher levels of stress and anxiety.
Mastodon offers a different approach. “Mastodon does not need algorithms,” Uden asserts. “This requires getting used to it, but that is exactly the self -empowerment! you check your sources of information, and nothing unintentionally can be washed on your own screen – neither because someone has paid for it, nor to make an angry.”
By removing algorithms, Mastodon empowers users to take control of their feeds and curate their own information sources. This can lead to a more diverse and balanced information diet, promoting critical thinking and reducing exposure to harmful content.
| Argument For Algorithms | Argument Against Algorithms |
|---|---|
| Personalized content recommendations | Potential for echo chambers and filter bubbles |
| Increased engagement and platform growth | Prioritization of sensational or polarizing content |
| Efficient content discovery | Manipulation of user behaviour |
“A Liberating Feeling”: The Appeal of Decentralized Social Media
For many users, the shift to decentralized social media platforms like Mastodon represents a profound change in their online experience.
“This is such a liberating feeling that capitalist social networks become unusable for many mastodon users in the long term,” Uden concludes.
The ability to control one’s own information sources, avoid manipulative algorithms, and participate in community-governed platforms can be empowering, especially for those who feel disillusioned with the current state of mainstream social media.
