Mastodon Transfers Ownership to Non-Profit

Mastodon, the decentralized social platform that gained attention following Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter, is taking steps to ensure its independence by transferring ownership to a non-profit organization. While the app remains a niche player in the social media landscape, with around 1 million active users and 10 million members, the move underscores its commitment to decentralization and user control.

In a statement, Mastodon emphasized its dedication to staying free from centralized ownership.

“When founder Eugen Rochko started working on Mastodon, his focus was on creating the code and conditions for the kind of social media he envisioned. The legal setup was a means to an end, a quick fix to allow him to continue operations. From the start, he declared that Mastodon would not be for sale and would be free of the control of a single wealthy individual, and he could ensure that because he was the person in control, the only ultimate decision-maker.”

Over the next six months, the platform will formalize its transition into a European non-profit entity. This structural change aims to protect Mastodon’s ethos, avoiding the pitfalls seen in larger, centralized platforms. Rochko will shift to a new role focused on product strategy as part of the reorganization.

The platform’s complexity, particularly its server-based setup and customizable options, has been a barrier to widespread adoption. Many users have found its sign-up process challenging compared to the ease of platforms like Threads or Bluesky. These competitors, while adopting some decentralized features, have leaned towards streamlined designs to attract broader audiences.

Mastodon’s commitment to decentralization is notable, offering users greater control over their data and experiences while also distancing it from how larger platforms like Threads operate. However, its future growth may depend on increasing digital literacy and finding ways to make its user experience more accessible – Mastodon’s original growth was hampered partially because the the decentralised system made it intimidating for users to choose a specific sever for their account.