What are decentralized social networks?

Alternative social networks are based on distributed ledger technology, run on independent servers and are open source. These make them decentralized. Web3 social networks are not regulated by a certain company or individuals, but are managed by users. The confidentiality and security of such platforms is ensured by cryptography. 

The DeSo blockchain is showing that decentralized social networks are becoming more popular. It is a brand-new Layer-1 blockchain, designed to power Web 3.0 decentralized social networks.

It is one of the first decentralized social networks and launched on the Steem blockchain in 2016. Users can earn STEEM cryptocurrency by investing time and effort in a blockchain social media platform powered by Steem. Platform coins are minted daily and added to a special community pool. At a certain time, they are transferred to users' accounts, depending on how many votes their content received.

It is a decentralized social media platform that at first sight looks like Twitter’s clone. Unlike its centralized "friend" it is not a separate app, but a network of thousands of servers. They play the role of different social networks that can exist in one space called "fediverse" (decentralized association of social networks). It essentially means that anyone can create their own social network with Mastodon, connect it to others or simply join existing options, such as Mastodon Social.

After Elon Musk bought Twitter, Mastodon gained nearly 500,000 new users.

The decentralized social network is similar to the well-known and influential social media pioneer Facebook, but positions itself as anti-Facebook. This platform has its own MINDS token. Users are rewarded for writing interesting posts and they get help with social media management and other activities that benefit Minds.

Decentralized social networks give people more control over what they see and post on social networks. They provide more autonomy due to the lack of moderators. However, the founders of such a platform, together with users, can set the rules that other members must follow. 

The positive aspects include a low level of censorship and full ownership of their data. No one except the user himself can delete his content. In addition, alternative social networks allow users to register without reference to an e-mail address or phone number. 

Another advantage is the interaction of different decentralized social networks with each other through a fediverse, a federated universe of social networks that is combined by ActivityPub. For example, if you have an account on one of the Mastodon servers, you can send messages and share content with a user of another distributed social network that is connected to a fediverse ecosystem. 

Some advantages can become disadvantages under certain conditions. The lack of moderators may result in users being able to post misinformation or illegal content that cannot be removed. There is also a danger of a 51% attack in other blockchain-based fields, in which a hacker can seize control of the network and alter information as they wish.

Despite the huge potential of decentralized social networks, they will have to go through many transformations in order to gain the attention of users who are used to centralized giants.