Meta, the social networking giant, is reportedly working on a new decentralized app codenamed P92, which will offer an alternative to Twitter. The app is still in the early stages of development, but it is expected to allow users to post text-based updates and will support Mastodon’s social networking protocol called ActivityPub. According to Meta, the app is designed to create a separate space for creators and public figures to share timely updates about their interests.
The app will carry Instagram branding, and users can register and log in using their Instagram credentials. Although P92 will populate users’ profiles with their Instagram account details, “data sharing from Instagram to P92 will be minimal, if not none” after the initial sign-up, based on the product brief MoneyControl saw.
As a decentralized app, P92 will allow users to set up their own servers and rules for content moderation. While users can broadcast their posts to those on other servers, it remains unclear whether they will be able to follow each other. If the app supports ActivityPub, however, people will likely expect it to be interoperable with Mastodon and other decentralized apps that use the protocol.
Meta has a list of features it wants the app to have, including tappable links for posts with previews, shareable images and videos, and verification badges. Users can leave comments and send private messages, but these may not be available in the first version of the app. Meta is also undecided on whether to give users the ability to reshare posts.
It is not clear whether Meta has started building the app, but it is expected to face several competitors upon its launch. Many Twitter rivals have been popping up to offer users an alternative after Elon Musk took over last year.
