Meta Platforms Inc. is looking into creating a separate, decentralized social network for text updates. This is according to Meta’s spokesman.
This product might be a direct rival to Twitter Inc., the firm founded by billionaire Elon Musk.
“We’re exploring a standalone decentralized social network for sharing text updates. We believe there’s an opportunity for a separate space where creators and public figures can share timely updates about their interests,” a Meta spokesperson told Reuters in an emailed statement.
The story was initially reported earlier in the day by the Indian business news website Moneycontrol.com, which cited sources.
According to the rumor, the decentralized social networking protocol ActivityPub, which powers Mastodon, a competitor of Twitter, and other federated apps, would be supported by Meta’s new content app.
Decentralized platforms like Mastodon are deployed on thousands of computer servers and are mostly managed by volunteer administrators who link their systems together in a federation, unlike centralized platforms like Twitter and Facebook, which are controlled by a single authority—a firm.
According to the Moneycontrol story, Meta’s new app would have an Instagram logo and allow users to sign up or log in using their Instagram credentials.