The Times Australia
The Times World News

.
The Times Real Estate

.

It's hard to imagine better social media alternatives, but Scuttlebutt shows change is possible

  • Written by Kate Mannell, Research Fellow in Digital Childhoods, Deakin University

Last week, the US government released six principles[1] for reforming Big Tech. It’s the latest example of growing efforts to regulate the handful of companies with enormous influence over the internet. But while there’s a growing appetite for a new, better kind of internet, it’s hard to imagine what that might look like.

We’ve just published research[2] that looks at one alternative – a social network called Scuttlebutt[3], which provides an example of a platform that puts people before profit.

The internet wasn’t supposed to be like this

In the 1990s, many thought the internet would make the world a better place. By letting ordinary people connect across vast distances, it would help us become more empathetic and egalitarian. Today, that vision seems naive. The internet is fraught with serious issues regulators are struggling to tackle.

One factor underpinning many of these problems is the huge influence that a handful of companies, such as Meta and Google, have over the internet. By putting corporate interests ahead of user wellbeing and society at large, they are key contributors to misinformation[4], privacy[5] violations[6], and online harassment and abuse[7].

There’s increasing interest in regulating these companies and the markets in which they operate, including from the Australian government. However, it’s hard to imagine alternatives to an internet dominated by private companies – they are such a ubiquitous and powerful part of our online lives.

Read more: A new proposed privacy code promises tough rules and $10 million penalties for tech giants[8]

Enter Scuttlebutt

Scuttlebutt is an example of alternative social media platforms[9], which try to keep the best bits of popular places like Facebook and Twitter while improving on their downsides.

On the surface, Scuttlebutt looks quite similar to Facebook. Users create a profile, post content, and like and comment on others’ posts. There are lots of people chatting about politics, current events, and obscure shared interests.

A screenshot that says Scuttlebutt, social network, a decentralised platform with a colourful hermit crab in each bottom corner
Scuttlebutt[10] But compared with regular platforms, Scuttlebutt has some radically different qualities. Crucially, it isn’t run by a company. Started by software engineer Dominic Tarr while living on a sailboat in New Zealand[11], Scuttlebutt is now being developed by an international community of people who run the platform collectively[12], using grant funding, donations and volunteer labour. Because it’s not a company, Scuttlebutt doesn’t need to make a profit. There is no persuasive design trying to keep you hooked, no advertising, and it doesn’t collect, process or sell users’ personal data. Instead, data are stored and controlled on users’ own devices. (This process uses the novel secure “gossip” protocol[13] for which the platform is named[14].) As it is open source, anyone can see, interact with, and reuse the code it’s built on. While it’s impossible to know how many people are using this decentralised platform, Scuttlebutt has attracted substantial grant funding, along with the attention of tech luminaries[15] and cultural critics[16]. Lessons for a better internet We spent several years studying Scuttlebutt to understand the community building it, and the new models of online participation they’re trying to create. We found that participation on Scuttlebutt is much deeper and more varied than mainstream platforms allow. Not only can users participate on the platform by posting, liking and sharing, they can also participate in the platform by helping shape how it is designed and run. Anyone interested is encouraged to contribute[17] in whatever ways they can. Compared with Facebook users, who resort to protests[18] and petitions[19] to try and improve its practices, Scuttlebutt users are empowered to collaborate in the creation of the online spaces they use. Unlike mainstream social media, Scuttlebutt doesn’t ask you to give up your personal data as payment. So even forms of participation that look the same as on Facebook, such as creating a post, take place under more equitable conditions. Scuttlebutt’s principles[20] also reflect a view that developing fair and inclusive participation is as much a matter of culture as of technology design. In contrast to Big Tech’s common focus on technology-first solutions, most Scuttlebutt contributors are as invested in improving the platform’s culture and governance as they are in building better technology. For example, when electing a council to distribute one of Scuttlebutt’s grants, priority was given to people with historically marginalised experiences in open-source communities. These social elements may not scale to a platform the size of Facebook, but this isn’t a problem for Scuttlebutt, which doesn’t maximise user participation for profit. This means users can concentrate on encouraging a positive culture rather than trying to make as many people participate as much as possible. In fact, we found that much of the Scuttlebutt community believes people need more choices in social media platforms, not a single Facebook replacement. The future is already here Scuttlebutt isn’t going to solve all the internet’s problems and, as we discuss in our research[21], it has its own issues – including the messiness of decentralised governance and ensuring accessibility for people from diverse backgrounds. But it does provide a way of exploring what the future of internet could look like[22]. These explorations highlight the importance of an internet where no single platform dominates and users have more control over shaping the spaces in which they gather. In the meantime, Scuttlebutt also shows that platforms focusing on public benefit instead of profit[23] are already possible. Read more: How dark is 'dark advertising'? We audited Facebook, Google and other platforms to find out[24] image

References

  1. ^ six principles (www.reuters.com)
  2. ^ research (journals.sagepub.com)
  3. ^ Scuttlebutt (scuttlebutt.nz)
  4. ^ misinformation (www.washingtonpost.com)
  5. ^ privacy (www.theguardian.com)
  6. ^ violations (www.gizmodo.com.au)
  7. ^ online harassment and abuse (www.bbc.com)
  8. ^ A new proposed privacy code promises tough rules and $10 million penalties for tech giants (theconversation.com)
  9. ^ alternative social media platforms (journals.sagepub.com)
  10. ^ Scuttlebutt (scuttlebutt.nz)
  11. ^ while living on a sailboat in New Zealand (epicenter.tv)
  12. ^ collectively (opencollective.com)
  13. ^ secure “gossip” protocol (dl.acm.org)
  14. ^ platform is named (en.wikipedia.org)
  15. ^ tech luminaries (publicinfrastructure.org)
  16. ^ cultural critics (www.amazon.com)
  17. ^ encouraged to contribute (scuttlebutt.netlify.app)
  18. ^ protests (www.theguardian.com)
  19. ^ petitions (www.reuters.com)
  20. ^ principles (scuttlebutt.nz)
  21. ^ research (journals.sagepub.com)
  22. ^ exploring what the future of internet could look like (mixitconf.org)
  23. ^ public benefit instead of profit (theconversation.com)
  24. ^ How dark is 'dark advertising'? We audited Facebook, Google and other platforms to find out (theconversation.com)

Read more https://theconversation.com/its-hard-to-imagine-better-social-media-alternatives-but-scuttlebutt-shows-change-is-possible-190351

The Times Features

Why Regional Small Businesses in Bendigo Deserve Better Access to Finance in 2025

In the heart of regional Victoria, Bendigo has long stood as a beacon of innovation, resilience and community spirit. As we step further into 2025, the importance of nurturing sm...

Is It Time for a Deep Cleaning? Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore

Most people know they should visit the dentist for a regular check-up and cleaning every six months. But sometimes, a standard cleaning isn’t enough. When plaque and tartar build...

The Hidden Meaning Behind Popular Engagement Ring Cuts

When it comes to engagement rings, the cut of the diamond is not just about aesthetics. Each shape carries its own symbolism and significance, making it an important decision for...

Annual Health Exams in the Office: How They Can Reduce Sick Days and Healthcare Costs

Regular health check-ups, especially annual health exams in the office, can significantly impact the overall well-being of your workforce. A proactive approach to employee health...

Best Deals on Home Furniture Online

Key Highlights Discover the best deals on high-quality outdoor furniture online. Transform your outdoor space into a stylish and comfortable oasis. Explore a wide range of d...

Discover the Best Women's Jumpers for Every Season

Key Highlights Explore lightweight jumpers for spring and summer, ensuring breathability and ease. Wrap up warm with cozy wool jumpers for the chilly autumn and winter season...

Times Magazine

The Essential Guide to Transforming Office Spaces for Maximum Efficiency

Why Office Fitouts MatterA well-designed office can make all the difference in productivity, employee satisfaction, and client impressions. Businesses of all sizes are investing in updated office spaces to create environments that foster collaborat...

The A/B Testing Revolution: How AI Optimized Landing Pages Without Human Input

A/B testing was always integral to the web-based marketing world. Was there a button that converted better? Marketing could pit one against the other and see which option worked better. This was always through human observation, and over time, as d...

Using Countdown Timers in Email: Do They Really Increase Conversions?

In a world that's always on, where marketers are attempting to entice a subscriber and get them to convert on the same screen with one email, the power of urgency is sometimes the essential element needed. One of the most popular ways to create urg...

Types of Software Consultants

In today's technology-driven world, businesses often seek the expertise of software consultants to navigate complex software needs. There are several types of software consultants, including solution architects, project managers, and user experienc...

CWU Assistive Tech Hub is Changing Lives: Win a Free Rollator Walker This Easter!

🌟 Mobility. Independence. Community. All in One. This Easter, the CWU Assistive Tech Hub is pleased to support the Banyule community by giving away a rollator walker. The giveaway will take place during the Macleod Village Easter Egg Hunt & Ma...

"Eternal Nurture" by Cara Barilla: A Timeless Collection of Wisdom and Healing

Renowned Sydney-born author and educator Cara Barilla has released her latest book, Eternal Nurture, a profound collection of inspirational quotes designed to support mindfulness, emotional healing, and personal growth. With a deep commitment to ...

LayBy Shopping