• raevn@sh.itjust.works
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    1 year ago

    I’m struggling to think of a reason that Meta is implementing ActivityPub protocol in Threads. There are a couple of possible reasons:

    • access to an instant user base
    • potential to influence a worrying rival

    What I can’t figure out is how they intend to make money while allowing external instances access to the content? After all, any client could be used to strip out ads. It just doesn’t feel like it benefits Meta.

    It leaves me a bit worried that they intend to divert the protocol in some way.

    • cakeistheanswer@lemmy.fmhy.ml
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      1 year ago

      It’s a well founded worry.

      Activitypub represents the lowest dev entry costs and as a bonus it comes with an audience. If Facebook is standing up a cheap competitor just to take advantage the barrier to entry is miniscule.

      Given the trouble some users have noted deleting content (erasing also kills your Instagram account), it might also be a play to deprecate a duplicate platform under their control.

      • tobor@sh.itjust.works
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        1 year ago

        It’s also a heck of a lot cheaper than creating a legless zombie universe. Shareholders are probably drooling at the potential of returning to the old sabatoge playbook

    • tobor@sh.itjust.works
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      1 year ago

      Seems like they’re just trying to get their fingers in the pie, it’s what they always do regardless of whether they know it will work or not.