A coalition of disillusioned former Twitter users and advocates for digital freedom has launched “FreeOurFeeds,” a bold campaign to reimagine social media as a public utility, independent of corporate profit and political interference.
Backed by prominent figures such as actor Mark Ruffalo, writer Cory Doctorow, and entrepreneur Roger McNamee, the project seeks to harness open-source technology to create a healthier, user-driven social media ecosystem.
The initiative centres on the AT Protocol, an open, decentralised framework that allows interoperable social platforms. This technology, which underpins Bluesky, will be expanded into a broader ecosystem under FreeOurFeeds. The ultimate goal is to empower users with greater control over their data, algorithms, and online experiences while fostering transparency and community well-being.
Building a Foundation for Open Social Media
FreeOurFeeds aims to transition Bluesky from a single company into a multi-platform ecosystem by establishing a non-profit foundation. This foundation will open up the technology for widespread development, allowing various entities to build upon it.
Robin Berjon, a technologist and custodian of the project, framed the effort as essential digital infrastructure akin to public roads or shared urban spaces.
“As we did with the creation of public roads and shared spaces in our towns, we must invest in digital infrastructure that operates under a social contract — benefiting everyone, not just the few,” Berjon stated.
The campaign seeks to raise $30 million over three years, with an initial $4 million required to establish the foundation and critical infrastructure. Key priorities include ensuring uninterrupted access to Bluesky’s data streams and funding independent developers to build a diverse array of applications based on the AT Protocol.
Addressing the Failures of Corporate Social Media
The initiative comes amid growing dissatisfaction with corporate-controlled platforms like Meta and X (formerly Twitter). Critics argue that billionaire ownership has led to profit-driven algorithms, increasing censorship, and a deterioration of user experience. Sherif Elsayed-Ali, Executive Director of the Future of Technology Institute, emphasised the importance of FreeOurFeeds’ mission to protect Bluesky’s underlying technology from similar pitfalls.
“[Bluesky] is still venture-capital-backed,” said Elsayed-Ali. “This important initiative aims to safeguard Bluesky’s underlying technology and put it on an independent pathway, so that the future of social media can be freed from the whims of any one company or group of billionaires.”
The campaign’s manifesto highlights the erosion of trust in social platforms, which once promised to be global public squares. Instead, they have become tools for corporate agendas and political influence.
“FreeOurFeeds envisions a better future, one where community, capital, and control are reclaimed in the public interest,” the statement reads.
Challenges on the Horizon
Despite its ambitious vision, FreeOurFeeds faces significant challenges. Chief among them is the task of convincing users to migrate from established platforms such as Meta and X, which hold years of personal data and social connections for many. Network effects—the tendency for a product to become more valuable as more people use it—pose a major barrier to adoption.
Additionally, the project must overcome the financial dominance of venture capital in the tech industry. Raising $30 million for a non-profit venture is no small feat, particularly when competing against profit-driven platforms. Ensuring that a decentralised system remains free from corporate capture and political pressures will also require careful governance and transparent operations.
A New Paradigm for Digital Spaces
Supporters of FreeOurFeeds are optimistic about its potential to reshape the digital landscape. Eli Pariser, a prominent advocate for equitable online spaces and a custodian of the project, expressed excitement about the initiative’s transformative vision.
“What’s so exciting here is a clear pathway to large-scale social media controlled by its users, not by fickle billionaires or advertisers. It’s a whole new paradigm of how to connect people,” Pariser said.
The project’s fundraising efforts will be overseen by the non-profit Development Gateway, ensuring accountability and transparency.
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The Internet at a Crossroads
As social media’s role in shaping public discourse grows, so does concern over its concentration in the hands of a few powerful entities. FreeOurFeeds represents a pushback against this trend, advocating for an internet that prioritises user empowerment, free expression, and community well-being.
While the road ahead is uncertain, the project offers a blueprint for a freer and more open digital future. For those dissatisfied with the status quo, FreeOurFeeds may signal the start of a long-overdue transformation.
Interested parties can contribute to the campaign via its GoFundMe page, helping to build a decentralised future for social media.
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