In addition, commercial absorption poses a challenge for federal platforms. Large corporations can easily buy out successful Fediverse or Bluesky-based projects and change their principles for profit. If this happens, the essence of the decentralized internet will be lost, and the quality of the communication space will deteriorate. Users fear that the latest alternative networks will suffer the same fate as Facebook, which started out as a college social network and eventually turned into a global media empire, focused on user data collection and targeted advertising.
Finally, the third obstacle identified by researchers is reputation risk. Although federal services emphasize the absence of centralized control and independent community management, they still face the necessity to deal with unwanted content and prevent illegal activities. This can lead to reputation damage if federated networks do not establish clear guidelines and transparent moderation processes. Moreover, the lack of a unified approach to content regulation can result in inconsistencies and conflicts between different instances.
Despite these challenges, the growing interest in alternative social networks demonstrates a shift in user preferences towards more decentralized, community-driven platforms. With the ongoing debates about online privacy, content moderation, and corporate influence, the appeal of federal services continues to attract diverse groups seeking a more open and democratic online environment. As the landscape of social media continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how federal platforms will address the identified obstacles and maintain their commitment to user empowerment and freedom of expression.