Meta, the parent company of Facebook, is reportedly working on a decentralized social network called P92 that could offer an alternative to Twitter, according to reports from MoneyControl and Platformer. The app is said to be in the early stages of development and would allow users to post text-based updates using Mastodon’s social networking protocol called ActivityPub.
Read: Tesla drops car prices for a third time this year
Meta has confirmed the development of a decentralized social network for sharing text updates and said that there is an opportunity for creators and public figures to share timely updates about their interests in a separate space.
Sources claim that P92 will be branded with Instagram’s logo and allow users to register and log in using their Instagram credentials. The app will populate users’ profiles with their Instagram account details if they use their Instagram login, although data sharing between the two platforms will be minimal or non-existent after the initial sign-up.
Since P92 is decentralized, users can set up their own servers and establish their own rules for content moderation. The app is also expected to allow users to broadcast their posts to those on other servers, but it’s unclear whether users will be able to follow each other.
Meta has a list of features it wants the app to have, including tappable links for posts with previews, shareable images and videos, as well as verification badges. However, it’s unclear whether Meta will charge a fee for these badges, similar to its $12-a-month paid verification service for Facebook and Instagram.
The app will also allow users to leave comments and send private messages, although these features may not be available in the first version of the app. Meta is still deciding whether to allow users to reshare posts, as is possible on Twitter.
It’s unclear whether Meta has already started building the app or is still in the planning stages. However, the company is likely to face tough competition by the time P92 launches, as Twitter rivals have been emerging since Elon Musk’s takeover last year.
