Gone are the days when people had phone calls as the only option to connect with each other. In today’s digital world, we use social media to communicate or connect with a friend. Whether we want to chat with a loved one, check the news, or share our life stories, using the web has become a crucial part of our day-to-day life.
However, many people believe that using social media platforms is an ideal way to connect with your friends. The reason behind it is that lack of content moderation across social media platforms leads to misinformation. In addition, social media users face many challenges, including privacy, user control, malicious activity, etc.
All these challenges have forced the developers to find another solution. So today, decentralized social media is a new trend.
So, what are decentralized social media platforms?
When it comes to social media, there are two main types: centralized and decentralized. Centralized social media is controlled by one entity, such as Facebook or Twitter. Decentralized social media is not controlled by any single entity. Instead, it is distributed across a network of users.
Decentralized social media platforms offer users more control and autonomy. Now users can set up their social networks and understand their working.
How does decentralized social media work?
Unlike centralized social media, decentralized social media don’t have a single central server. Many social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc., have one authority that holds all the power over the network. As a result, there are high chances of hacking, data breaches and leaks.
However, decentralized social media has multiple distributed channels. Users can pick any channel they want to join or create their own network. The users can connect with their friends in a similar way as in the case of social media.
Instead of a few individuals, decentralized platforms use a system of governance for decision-making. Users can share their point-of-view about a particular platform. So, decentralized social media networks offer a fresh platform for communication. In this platform, multiple networks can exist that are controlled by independent servers.
So, what are the benefits of decentralized social media?
- Increased security: On a centralized social media platform, all data is stored in one place. This makes it a prime target for hackers. However, when the data is distributed across a number of different nodes, it is much more difficult to hack.
- Increased transparency: When a platform is centralized, the owner has complete control over the information that is shared. However, on a decentralized platform, all of the information is public. This makes it easier to hold the platform owner accountable for data misuse.
- Enhanced user control: On a centralized platform, the platform owner has complete control over the content that is shared. However, on a decentralized platform, users can curate their own content. This gives users more control over the information that they see.
- Lower costs: When a platform is centralized, the platform owner must bear the costs of maintaining the servers and the infrastructure. However, these costs are spread out across the network of nodes in the case of decentralized social networks.
- Faster innovation: When a platform is centralized, all innovations must go through the platform owner. However, when the platform is decentralized, innovations can be developed and implemented more quickly.
However, decentralized networks are not perfect. Just Like any other technology, decentralized social media has a few drawbacks.
One challenge associated with decentralized social media is that these platforms can be more difficult to use, as they are often not as user-friendly as traditional social media platforms. Another challenge is that it can be difficult to find people to follow, as there is no central directory of users.
The Bottom Line
Despite the challenges, decentralized social media platforms offer many benefits that make them worth considering. These platforms give users more control over their data, and they offer a more privacy-friendly experience. If you are looking for an alternative to traditional social media, then a decentralized platform like Blockify may be a good option for you.