Mastodon Transfers Control to Nonprofit to Ensure Decentralized Independence

    Mastodon, the decentralized social network, is taking a significant step to preserve its core mission of promoting user-focused, ad-free online communities. Founder and CEO Eugen Rochko announced that ownership of Mastodon will transition to a newly formed nonprofit organization, aligning with the platform’s vision of independence from single-owner control—a contrast to tech giants like Meta and X.

In a recent blog post, Mastodon clarified, “The decentralized network should not be owned or controlled by a single individual.” This shift will transfer the management of Mastodon’s ecosystem and platform components to the nonprofit, ensuring long-term stability and adherence to its founding principles.

Founder's Role Shifts

Rochko, who launched Mastodon in 2016, will step into a product strategy role as the organization relocates its headquarters to a still-undetermined European location. Currently based in Germany, the move aims to restore Mastodon’s nonprofit status after losing its charitable designation last year.

“When I started Mastodon, the focus was always on creating a platform free from corporate monopolies and manipulative algorithms,” said Rochko. “This step reinforces that vision, ensuring Mastodon’s independence for the future.”

What Users Can Expect

For Mastodon users, little will change immediately. The platform will continue hosting its mastodon.social and mastodon.online servers, with ongoing updates, bug fixes, and new features in the pipeline. The nonprofit aims to foster authentic online communities without ads or data exploitation, staying true to its mission of building constructive digital spaces.

This move comes amid growing concerns over centralized control in social media. Mastodon’s announcement underscores its commitment to empowering users, particularly at a time when rivals like Meta and X face criticism for prioritizing profits over transparency and community well-being.

Stay tuned for updates as Mastodon transitions to its nonprofit model and unveils its roadmap for the future.

Source: The Verge