Meta is planning to launch a standalone text-based content app that will support ActivityPub, which is also used to run Mastodon and other federated apps, citing sources privy to the development Moneycontrol reported. According to the report, the parent firm of Facebook and Instagram is mulling to create an app like Instagram which will allow users to register/login to the app through their Instagram credentials, the sources told Moneycontrol.
What is ActivityPub?
According to news reports, ActivityPub is an open, decentralised social networking protocol based on Pump.io's ActivityPump protocol. It provides a client/server API for creating, updating, and deleting content, as well as a federated server-to-server API for delivering notifications and content. ActivityPub. Communication protocol.
Project codenamed P92
It is learnt that Meta is silently working on a competitor under the project codenamed P92. However, the publication stated that it’s not clear whether this app, codenamed P92, is still at an idea-stage or the development has begun on the app. According to Moneycontrol, Meta has confirmed this development in a statement.
A Meta spokesperson said, "We're exploring a standalone decentralised 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 source familiar with the development told the publication, "The plan as of now is that the MVP (minimum viable product) will definitely allow our users to broadcast posts to people on other servers. It may or may not enable our users to follow and view the content of people on other servers."
Salient features
The report mentioned that besides texting, Meta's upcoming new platform will have several Twitter-like features, including the ability to share tappable links in posts with previews, reshare (like retweet), images, and videos, offer space to show user's short bio, username handle, and verification badges (not sure it will have checkmarks). Another notable aspect of Meta's app is that it can work on a decentralised network. That means an individual with their own server can set their own rules to moderate content and no other person or organisation can have full control over the platform.
Report suggested that this app can also be interoperable on Mastodon or any similar apps that run on ActivityPub protocol. It will be similar to how Instagram users can operate on Facebook and Messenger apps with ease.
Since Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter in late 2022, the micro-blogging platform has undergone several rejigs in the management levels. Musk has laid off many employees to mitigate cost. Twitter users are looking to migrate to alternative platforms as the social media firm struggles to cope with chaos. This has led to an opportunity for other technology companies to launch a Twitter-like platform.
Several rival platforms have already launched or witnessed traction to attract these users. Among them include Mastodon, Post.news, and T2.
According to a report by The New York Times report, in December 2022 Instagram also introduced a new feature called Notes that allows users to share short posts of up to 60 characters using just text and emojis. The company has considered turning this feature into a Twitter competitor.