Tag: Google

Posted in Technology

Shadow .Net Domains: How Instagram, YouTube, Etcetera, Can “Easily” Enter The Fediverse

Posted on by Darnell Clayton
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Threads as a fun monster, with his shadow companions behind him.

After Meta acquired the Threads.com domain for an undisclosed sum last year, I noticed that Threads.com began forwarding to Threads.net (which included username handles).

Several months later, Adam Mosseri (then head of Threads and current CEO of Instagram) announced that Threads on the web would operate on the .com domain instead of the .net extension, which was puzzling as the Fediverse handles were still using the .net domain.

We’re making some simple but meaningful updates to Threads web as we move to threads.com today. You can now create posts while scrolling your feeds, easily access custom feeds at the top of the web page, and copy and paste a post as an image for cleaner sharing on other apps. The web experience is a popular way to use Threads for many people so we’ll continue doing more here.

Via @mosseri on Threads

Fast forward to today & I wondered if Meta would redirect our Fediverse .net handles to our new shiny .com profiles.

Sadly, I was informed that @pcottle (a Threads team member) has already ruled out that happening in the future (at least for now).

They’ve already said they’re not changing it.🤷‍♂️

Peter Cottle says Fediverse threads will always be threads.net

Also, that’s for entirely different servers. Doubt they’re going to setup Fediverse again on the new .com servers just for this change.

Via @beaware.social on Threads

For example, my Fediverse handle on threads is @darnell (which displays the .net domain).

However, if a user visited the profile online (outside of the app), it would show Threads.com/@darnell instead of Threads.net/@darnell (yes, confusing, I know).

While this tech setup may puzzle the average person unfamiliar with the Fediverse, it may inspire other social networks to join the Fediverse without redesigning their entire websites.

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YouTube & Instagram as robots carrying nets on a beach. AI Image

.Net Fediverse User Handles‽ (Instagram & YouTube)

It would be prohibitively expensive for Meta & Alphabet (formerly known as Facebook & Google) to add ActivityPub support to Instagram & YouTube, respectively (at least upon their current platforms).

However, since Meta and Alphabet already own Instagram.net and YouTube.net, respectively, they could merely mimic what Threads is doing by having Fediverse folks connect to the .net handles, the latter of which would mirror content posted by the .com versions.

For example, my user handle on Instagram & YouTube is @darnell, respectively. If someone wants to follow along within the Fediverse, they can subscribe by switching out the .com for the .net domain.

This would reduce the coding headache for both platforms and enable an additional way for people to subscribe to content, which would increase their potential reach.

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Superhero fighting a spam monster. Image created with AI

What About Spam‽

To prevent the Fediverse from being flooded with tens of millions of spam accounts, Instagram and YouTube could make Fediverse integration a premium perk.

Folks who subscribe to either Meta Verified or YouTube Premium could be granted the ability to activate ActivityPub on their respective accounts and join the Fediverse (albeit on the respective .net domains).

This would probably appeal to creatives and influencers who enjoy sharing their content with new audiences who might be hesitant about creating a Meta or Google account.

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Robots on a beach entering the water with nets on a stick hanging out from their backs. Image created by AI

What About Other Social Networks‽

Many other social platforms operating on the coveted .com domain own their .net counterparts and could create a similar setup. This includes:

Although activating ActivityPub upon a separate shadow .net domain is easier said than done, it would present a more realistic option than relaunching a current site into the Fediverse.

Even though operating on two separate domains may appear an odd way to connect the socialverse, doing so could enable social media behemoths to communicate with each other (without spending billions) and help elevate each other to new heights.

Posted in Politics

Is Apple Resisting Trump Over Gulf Of Mexico Name Change‽ (Gulf Of America 🇺🇸)

Posted on by Darnell Clayton

Recently, President Donald Trump declared that the Gulf of Mexico 🇲🇽 would now be known as the Gulf of America 🇺🇸.

Trump signed an executive order making the proclamation official to all map services in the United States 🇺🇸.

Trump “renames” Gulf of Mexico 🇲🇽 as the Gulf of America 🇺🇸

Google was quick to bow down to the new Orange Overlord & quickly complied with the executive order.

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Google Bot bowing before Trump

However, Apple has not yet implemented the change on Apple Maps, which may raise a few eyebrows among the MAGA (Make America Great Again) masses.

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Screenshot comparing Gulf of Mexico 🇲🇽 on Apple Maps & Google Maps

It is still too early to tell whether Apple is resisting renaming the Gulf of Mexico 🇲🇽 or merely being slow to make the “updated” alterations.

But a week from now, if Apple Maps still proclaims that the Gulf of Mexico 🇲🇽 is still the Gulf of Mexico 🇲🇽, then it will be apparent that Apple has chosen to side with 400 years of historical precedence over the preferences of the newly elected President.

Discovered via: @cmdrmoto, @chris & @dangillmor

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Posted in Social Networks

Billions May Enter Fediverse Due To European Union’s Digital Markets Act‽

Posted on by Darnell Clayton

The Fediverse may become flooded with billions of new users over the next six months after the @[email protected] declared that six major tech companies have less than a year to comply or face fines based on global revenues.

Image: from Pixabay, discovered on Fediverse Party.

The European Commission has today designated, for the first time, six gatekeepers – Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, ByteDance, Meta, Microsoft – under the Digital Markets Act (DMA). In total, 22 core platform services provided by gatekeepers have been designated. The six gatekeepers will now have six months to ensure full compliance with the DMA obligations for each of their designated core platform services. […]

The Commission will monitor the effective implementation of and compliance with these obligations. In case a gatekeeper does not comply with the obligations laid down by the DMA, the Commission can impose fines up to 10% of the company’s total worldwide turnover, which can go up to 20% in case of repeated infringement. In case of systematic infringements, the Commission is also empowered to adopt additional remedies such as obliging a gatekeeper to sell a business or parts of it or banning the gatekeeper from acquisitions of additional services related to the systemic non-compliance.

Via the European Commission

The European Commission provided a list of do’s & don’ts regarding what they consider acceptable from the companies targeted.

Acceptable Behavior

  • allow third parties to inter-operate with the gatekeeper’s own services in certain specific situations
  • allow their business users to access the data that they generate in their use of the gatekeeper’s platform
  • provide companies advertising on their platform with the tools and information necessary for advertisers and publishers to carry out their own independent verification of their advertisements hosted by the gatekeeper
  • allow their business users to promote their offer and conclude contracts with their customers outside the gatekeeper’s platform

Unacceptable Behavior

  • treat services and products offered by the gatekeeper itself more favourably in ranking than similar services or products offered by third parties on the gatekeeper’s platform
  • prevent consumers from linking up to businesses outside their platforms
  • prevent users from un-installing any pre-installed software or app if they wish so
  • track end users outside of the gatekeepers’ core platform service for the purpose of targeted advertising, without effective consent having been granted

So What Does This Mean For The Fediverse‽

While the European Commission is focusing on enforcing new rules across various digital industries (messaging platforms, app stores, browsers, advertising, operating systems, etcetera), the fact that they listed five major social networks is a big deal.

The easiest way for social networks like TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube to comply with the DMA regulations is to embrace decentralization & data portability.

Although social networks will be free to choose how they will embrace decentralization, it would not be surprising to see social networks adopt ActivityPub (as the latter is already embraced by Meta & friends).

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Did You Say Billions‽

The major social networks are actively used by billions of people & according to Statista, each mentioned social network (excluding LinkedIn) has:

  • Facebook: 2,958,000,000 users
  • Youtube: 2,514,000,000 users
  • Instagram: 2,000,000,000 users
  • TikTok: 1,051,000,000 users

If just these four social networks decided to join the Fediverse, it could drown out the current major ActivityPub players (Minds, Mastodon, Misskey & Lemmy), as well as thwart Tumblr’s glorious entrance.

While more members in the Fediverse is something to celebrate, the massive influx of new users will probably cause an enormous increase in server costs for Fediverse admins, which will pose a problem for many Fediverse instances (who will need to look at funding alternatives to remain online).

Update: @ilumium provides more clarification regarding the Digital Markets Act & strongly believes these rules will not force social networks to “interoperate” with smaller rivals.

No, unfortunately the does not force gatekeeper social networks to interoperate even if smaller ones want it.

Despite groups like @edri fighting for this, there was much political & resistance, and now Article 7 DMA on mandatory only applies to messaging services, not social networks.

So, @element and @threemaapp could ask Whatsapp and to interoperate, but the won’t be affected.

Jan Penfrat on Mastodon

Penfrat links to the full documentation of the policy over here, which is worth reading (in spite of the length).

Note: @rysiek also mentioned this as well (DMA applies to chat apps & not social networks).

Although giants like Facebook, YouTube, etcetera, may not join the Fediverse anytime soon, Instagram might be a possibility as Threads direct messages will be powered by Instagram.

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Posted in Android, Apple

Sorry Fandroids, But The iCult Is Real

Posted on by Darnell Clayton

If there is something that has always perplexed me about Americans (myself included) is the fixation on using Apple designed devices.

Image Credit: Gwendal Le Bec, image discovered on Slate.

Although Android surpasses Apple in the number of devices uses globally, iPhone is considered the gold standard when it comes to younger generations.

American teens and twenty-somethings are so entranced by Apple that they feel they would be shunned by society if they ditch the iPhone. This doesn’t just allow Apple to sell more iPhones, it also enables them to sell more of other products.

Apple ships 26 iPads, 17 Apple Watches, and 35 pairs of AirPods for every 100 iPhones. In contrast, Samsung sells fewer than 11 tablets, 6 smartwatches, and 6 earbuds for every 100 phones.

Apple has a close-knitted ecosystem and pairing Apple devices with other products leads to a sub-optimal user experience.

Phone Arena

The article further goes on to explain iMessage as the reason, but that is absurd as there are numerous messenger services available (on iOS/iPadOS & Android) that rival iMessage.

I think the issue boils down to the device & apps “simply working” & the fact that many celebrities use iPhones & are seen “in the wild” with them.

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Posted in Social Networks

Will Tumblr’s Dominion Over The Fediverse Be Automattic‽

Posted on by Darnell Clayton

If the Socialverse (social networks online) were the Star Trek universe, then the Fediverse would be The Federation: a union of multiple applications founded on the principles of liberty, equality, peace, justice & progress (ok, so maybe your’s truly borrowed some text from Star Trek).

Image Credit: From Star Trek, Deep Space Nine (image discovered via Memory Alpha)

What unites the Fediverse is the ability of different applications with different purposes, codes, philosophies, creators & business models to communicate using the ActivityPub protocol.

However, an ancient force in the Socialverse has appeared out of the WordPress Wormhole. This shape-shifting service can mimic many ActivityPub applications while serving a slice of ads on the side.

Known by friends, frenemies & foes as Tumblr, this recently acquired platform from Automattic can morph into:

Tumblr’s sheer size alone would dwarf the Fediverse, as the social blogging site boasts over 560 million blogs & 135 million monthly active users. Mastodon (currently the most prominent app in the Fediverse) has recently surpassed eight million accounts, of which approximately two million are active at least once a month.

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From Tumblr Press

While Tumblr’s entrance into the Fediverse should be celebrated, its mere presence could result in Automattic dominating the Fediverse & potentially dictating the future direction of ActivityPub apps overall.

So how can current Fediverse apps compete when (not if) Tumblr enters their realm‽ By embracing their unique strengths & mimicking the tactics of rival platforms.

KISS: Keep Instance Signups Simple (AKA Easy)

Whether it’s Mastodon, Pixelfed, Pleroma, Misskey, Peertube, etcetera, many Fediverse apps are confusing newcomers (who are used to centralized social networks) by offering a decentralized sign-up process (basically asking people to choose a server).

Instead of offering a read the fraking manual response or sign-up guides for non-techies, Fediverse apps should drastically simplify the process by only offering two options:

  • Login or sign up with Fediverse.Yeah
  • Enter your existing server or domain

This would simplify the sign-up process for new people eager to leave centralized systems. Pixelfed is an excellent example of keeping sign-ups easy & straightforward.

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Pixelfed Icon

To prevent servers from overloading with too many people, Federated apps could randomly rotate between a selection of servers (with permission from the respective server admins) as the first sign-up option with one caveat: The server must have the app name in the domain.

Requiring the full name of the software service in the domain will reduce confusion for newcomers, who might question why they are signing up for a site called Pxlmo.com (even though it is a Pixelfed server) & ditch the signup process altogether.

For example, if a person were signing up for Pixelfed, the first sign-up option would randomly rotate between:

Fediverse apps could also (via web or mobile app) detect the geolocation of the person signing up & offer a local option for users as the main signup option. A few examples would be:

As more people signup, Fediverse apps could begin referring to other servers without the name, but they should include a brief explanation in parentheses. Example: sign up to Pixey.org (a Pixelfed server).

Build An App For That

For better or worse, Apple’s App Store & Google Play will be the primary ways many people discover a Fediverse app. While having third party apps help, many people will be confused or skeptical without seeing an official app, something Twitter discovered years ago.

People everywhere should be able to access Twitter without friction or confusion. Careful analysis of the Twitter user experience in the iTunes AppStore revealed massive room for improvement. People are looking for an app from Twitter, and they’re not finding one. So, they get confused and give up. It’s important that we optimize for user benefit and create an awesome experience.

We’re thrilled to announce that we’ve entered into an agreement with Atebits (aka Loren Brichter) to acquire Tweetie, a leading iPhone Twitter client. Tweetie will be renamed Twitter for iPhone and made free (currently $2.99) in the iTunes AppStore in the coming weeks. Loren will become a key member of our mobile team that is already having huge impact with device makers and service providers around the world. Loren’s work won the 2009 Apple Design Award and we will eventually launch Twitter for iPad with his help.

Official Twitter Blog

As many (if not most) people access their social networks via a mobile device, having an official app on Android & iOS can determine the difference between mass adoption & obscurity.

Having an official presence on Android, iOS & iPadOS is probably one of the reasons Mastodon is starting to gain popularity amongst the masses (compared to similar rivals), & Fediverse apps would be wise to adopt a similar strategy soon.

Taking Care Of Business

Unlike sites like Tumblr, most Fediverse creators behind Mastodon, Pixelfed, Funkwhale, Peertube, etcetera, do not have millions or billions of dollars, euros, etcetera at their disposal.

Although receiving donations from the Fediverse community is excellent, Fediverse creators should consider establishing freemium business models to compete against better-funded, centralized & decentralized rivals.

For example, Automattic (who owns Tumblr) heavily contributes towards WordPress, but they run their hosting service at WordPress.com (which helps further the development of WordPress overall).

Finding funding for Fediverse projects can come in a variety of flavors, & here are a few examples below:

  • Mastodon has a sponsorship page which many companies & individuals pay (note: yours truly is listed there) to have their name mentioned (this contributes towards further development)
  • The creator of WriteFreely runs a hosting service called Write.as which people can freely sign up upon but also pay for extra features. They also offer a premium app upon the App Store.
  • The creator of BookWyrm also offers managed hosting services (provided you are not a corporation).

While some Fediverse apps have found success primarily via donations (Framasoft, who develops Peertube, is a great example), creators—& even instance admins—should find a stable way to secure the necessary finances to compete against future rivals.

Future Frenemies To Battle With‽

Tumblr’s entrance into the Fediverse will increase the Fediverse Familia’s size. Still, the more significant interactions between apps and users will also increase the costs of maintaining servers & software applications.

It would not be surprising if Automattic fully integrates ActivityPub into other projects such as:

Other players like Flickr are pondering joining the Fediverse, which could inspire numerous companies to enter in the not-so-distant future (note: do not rule out Twitter joining as well).

To avoid a significant player or players entering the Fediverse, assimilating the ActvitityPub protocol & locking out long-time Fediverse applications, the Fediverse Familia needs to forge a bulwark against potential corporate bullies to avoid the fate of becoming legacy apps.

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Posted in Government, Technology

Europe’s Data Ban Is A Death Star To US Tech

Posted on by Darnell Clayton

If the road to Hell is paved with good intentions, then the European Union is building a super highway towards techno-hades.

Although the data ban law protects European Union citizens from a spy-hungry American government, it could also force major American tech companies to potentially exit the region.

The European Court of Justice in 2020 annulled an EU-U.S. data flows pact called Privacy Shield because of fears over U.S. surveillance practices. In its ruling, it also made it harder to use another legal tool that Meta and many other U.S. firms use to transfer personal data to the U.S., called standard contractual clauses (SCCs). This week’s decision out of Ireland means Facebook is forced to stop relying on SCCs too. […]

“If a new transatlantic data transfer framework is not adopted and we are unable to continue to rely on SCCs or rely upon other alternative means of data transfers from Europe to the United States, we will likely be unable to offer a number of our most significant products and services, including Facebook and Instagram, in Europe,” Meta said in a filing to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in March this year.

Politico

Although many individuals would enjoy seeing Google & Meta (aka Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, etcetera), the reality is that this law could negatively affect federated services like email & Mastodon (the latter which yours truly uses).

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Maarten Wolverine (via European Cultural Foundation)

Would Europeans using American data servers be forced to abandon their respective hosts due to an overreaching bureaucratic blunder‽ Or would companies & individuals ignore the European Union & download a VPN‽ (probably the latter)

Although such a law would at best hinder large corporations (who could simply move their servers to a defiant country like Poland 🇵🇱 or Hungary 🇭🇺), smaller law-abiding businesses might be forced to part ways with European clients because the EU leaders lacked proper foresight.

Featured Image Credit: Corridor Crew via The Irish Sun

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Posted in Politics, Social Networks, Technology

Censorship Is Constitutional For Corporations

Posted on by Darnell Clayton

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Conservatives (or rather alt-right), as well as folks on the (extreme?) left are outraged with screams of censorship after Facebook banned several high profile figures for hateful rhetoric.

Even the President of the United States decided to share his thoughts regarding the removal of alt-right voices from the social-verse (repeatedly).

On the other end of the political spectrum, many folks were upset about Louis Farrakhan being banned from Instagram & Facebook, with rapper Snoop Dogg voicing his displeasure upon Instagram.

Before both the extreme right & left launch a boycott brigade against the big, bad, corporations for banning their beloved leaders for violating the First Amendment, they might want to re-read what it says again.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. (First Amendment of US Constituion)

The right to peacefully assemble includes businesses, as business owners cannot be forced to associate with customers they deem to be unruly, offensive or contrary to how they desire to operate their business.

It’s why Christian bakers are allowed to refuse to make gay wedding cakes (yeah, the cases are being appealed but the Supreme Court will uphold it), as well as why gay owners at coffee shops can prohibit Christians from buying drinks in their establishments.

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Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google, YouTube, etcetera, do have the right to openly censor conservative voices on their platforms, as there are numerous alternatives online & off for them to voice their opines.

Is it a smart business move‽ It depends on who their paying customers & advertisers are as they ultimately influence what content exists on social networks (money talks, everything else walks).

But if you are not paying for an internet service (even a global powerhouse like Facebook) then you have no power to alter these companies policies, as they are not going to bite the financial hand that feeds them.

Image Credits: Ben Garrison

Update: Fixed block quote.

Posted in Uncategorized

Dear Google, Help Microsoft Fix Security Exploits Faster!

Posted on by Darnell Clayton

Honestly this (excuse the vulgar parable) pissing match between Google & Microsoft is leaving businesses as well as users not only soaking wet, but also potentially humiliated in front of hackers world wide!

Reading Engadget’s article, one would assume Google preemptively exposed an Windows 8.1 security flaw to the world without giving Microsoft enough time to issue a patch.

However it appears Microsoft either procrastinated issuing an immediate patch or lacked the resources to quickly resolve the security exploit.

Google made the latest disclosure as part of its “Project Zero” security initiative, which provides companies a 90-day deadline to fix vulnerabilities before they are disclosed publicly, giving hackers key details to exploit the bug. In this case, the flaw in the Windows 8.1 log-on mechanism would allow an attacker to escalate their privileges on a user’s computer, effectively taking over the machine. (Via Geek Wire)

Microsoft (for reasons unknown) needed 92 days to fix this exploit, so they are not surprisingly enraged at Google for not extending them grace & mercy for an extra 48 hours.

While geek lovers & haters will once again debate which tech giant was irresponsible in this scenario, it would be better for businesses & users if Google would help Microsoft fix exploits faster!

Even if Google billed Microsoft for resolving the exploit (as the latter can afford it), it would be better than this current fragmented approach of fix glitches or prepared to be shamed approach (which only benefits black hat hackers).

Image via: Brian Waving

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Posted in Uncategorized

Google Hangouts Killing Off Google Voice App

Posted on by Darnell Clayton

Google’s latest Google Hangouts app update will finally kill of their semi-neglected Google Voice app.

Users can now receive & see SMS/MMS messages as well as voicemails within the Google Hangouts app!

Unfortunately activating this written by an engineer, not designed for humans feature is a pain!

Those seeking a way to say “Goodbye Google Voice, Hello Hangouts!” can activate this feature by tapping upon the Profile picture…


…then tapping on the Settings Gear Icon…


…& scrolling down towards the Phone Number menu option (yes, tapping on it is required!).

Verify that Incoming Phone Calls is on (the toggle switch should be green but if it is gray then tap on it), then tap on the Messages toggle option which will transfer all new Google Voice messages to your Google Hangouts app.

Note: Sadly there is no way to import old Google Voice messages yet, but hopefully the lords of Google will consider this in the “semi-near future!”

If successful this screen will appear within the Google Voice app:

Truthfully I am glad Google has done this as it means that I no longer have to port my (former) Google Voice number elsewhere & as a bonus I can now receive video phone calls (as long as a person uses Google Hangouts of course!). 😛

Posted in Uncategorized

Google Wallet Ditches Developers…Except On Android‽

Posted on by Darnell Clayton

Spotted this via TechCrunch in which Google is doing their best to make frenemies & infuriate people.

“As we continue to evolve and improve our merchant tools to meet new market challenges in the payments space, we are writing to let you know we will be retiring the Google Wallet for digital goods API on March 2, 2015. […]”

“If you are selling apps on the Google Play Store or processing in-app payments through Google Wallet, you will continue to be supported. (Google Wallet Support)”

I have purchased items via Google Wallet in the past, which I preferred over PayPal due as the former was slightly much more attuned to safeguarding my privacy (at least via email).

With Google retreating to Helms Deep…er…Android, it makes me wonder how viable will Google Wallet be in the future—online & off.