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Jack Dorsey pumps $10M into a nonprofit focused on open source social media

Jack Dorsey has invested $10M in 'and Other Stuff,' a nonprofit focused on open source social media projects. This initiative aims to create experimental tools and social apps, including ones based on Nostr and ActivityPub. Dorsey advocates for a decentralized social media model that avoids corporate influence and emphasizes user governance.

Key points

  • Jack Dorsey invests $10M in 'and Other Stuff', a nonprofit focused on open source social media.
  • The team includes notable figures like Evan Henshaw-Plath and Cashu creator Calle.
  • They aim to develop tools and apps that empower users and avoid corporate control.
  • Focus on protocols like Nostr and ActivityPub to facilitate decentralized apps.
  • Dorsey criticizes traditional social media models for being too influenced by advertisers.
  • The initiative will also work on a 'social media Bill of Rights' promoting user privacy and security.

Why it matters

  • This investment aligns with the rise of decentralized technologies and platforms in the IT sector, as companies explore open source and community-driven models post-2023.
  • The move reflects a broader trend towards scrutinizing the role of corporate influence in social media, reminiscent of past critiques of major platforms.
  • Dorsey's efforts to foster open protocols coincide with increasing interest in digital privacy and user empowerment trends in technology.

Dorsey's $10M investment represents a significant shift towards open source social media, aiming to empower users and displace corporate control, reflecting ongoing trends in technology towards decentralization and user-driven governance.