Chris Trottier on Nostr: You know, it’s not really fair to compare Meta to platforms like Gab or Truth ...

You know, it’s not really fair to compare Meta to platforms like Gab or Truth Social.

Those fringe social networks have never really gained mainstream popularity, and they’re not used by billions of people like Meta is. The majority of individuals who use Gab or Truth Social do so to reinforce their specific political beliefs.

On the other hand, Meta is undeniably a social media monopoly, and it’s not just my opinion. The Federal Trade Commission and 46 states share that perspective as well. You can read more about it in this link:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Trade_Commission_v._Meta_Platforms,_Inc.

For many people, Meta’s services have become an integral part of their lives. Quitting those services would mean losing important connections and disrupting their livelihoods.

Let me share an interesting example: when I was in Malaysia, I was surprised to discover how crucial WhatsApp was for numerous business transactions. Since many people there don’t have debit or credit cards, they rely on WhatsApp’s QR codes to make transactions.

In an ideal world, I would love to see things change, but we’re dealing with a powerful monopoly that has deeply entrenched itself in people’s lives. It’s astonishing how Meta has become synonymous with the Internet in some developing countries—that’s just how dominant they are.

But here’s something that gives me hope when it comes to Meta: they have obligations under GDPR, and failing to comply could result in significant penalties from the EU. If Meta doesn’t enable data portability and account migration on the Fediverse, they could face billions of dollars in lawsuits. So, they actually have a strong incentive to fulfill their GDPR obligations.

Comparing Meta to Gab or Truth Social isn’t really helpful. Meta is a monopoly used by billions of people, while Gab and Truth Social are fringe platforms with nowhere near the same reach. That’s why making such comparisons doesn’t quite capture the full picture.