Meta/Instagram launched a new product called Threads today (working title project92). It adds a new interface for creating text posts and replying to them, using your Instagram account. Of note, Meta has stated that Threads plans to support ActivityPub in the future, and allow federation with ActivityPub services. If you actually look at your Threads profile page in the app your username has a threads.net tag next to it - presumably to support future federation.
Per the link, a number of fediverse communities are pledging to block any Meta-directed instances that should exist in the future. Thus instance content would not be federated to Meta instances, and Meta users would not be able to interact with instance content.
I'm curious what the opinions on this here are. I personally feel like Meta has shown time and time again that they are not very good citizens of the Internet; beyond concerns of an Eternal September triggered by federated Instagram, I worry that bringing their massive userbase to the fediverse would allow them to influence it to negative effect.
I also understand how that could be seen to go against the point of federated social media in the first place, and I'm eager to hear more opinions. What do you think?
To answer the question in post directly - I think it's a bit daft. I understand and support the intention. In fact, I've already blocked threads.net, assuming that's going to be the actual endpoint. But the pact itself I find useless and a tad childish.
I would generally think it should be the user's decision, but this is meta we're talking about. I don't know if I can consciencely be a part of an instance that is providing them with a free stream of quality content, thus making their platform more enticing and valuable. Even if I block threads, I am adding value to an instance where some percentage of the users will not block threads. I would be actively attracting more users to help meta. If we do not defederate, I will leave until that changes. Hopefully this makes it seem a little less childish to you.
It's won't be meta quality, it'll be us talking about DnD and posting about baked beans. The Meta lot (your parents) won't get it.
If we start getting stupid stuff, then defederate by all means.
The meta lot includes Instagram users, as well as users of anything else who tried threads because it was new, and stuck with it. Even older people might like the less shitposty content if meta makes it more accessible to them. I don't see how that is a meaningful argument.