I’m rather 🤷♂️ about going after Twitter using the EU Digital Markets Act (DMA).
Sure, the framework is there, but Musk is tearing through Twitter at such a rate that what is going to be left by the time action can be taken?
Same re. the initiative to invite Musk to the European Parliament - there’ll be plenty of grandstanding but it’s not going to save the network.
It all feels like… closing the stable door after the horse has bolted.
Sure I get why - even now - being seen to do and say the right thing is politically appealing.
I also get why some politicians would like a bit of theatre by grilling Musk in the European Parliament.
But the damage is done. It can’t be repaired. We need better systems and networks moving forward - prevention rather than cures.
Or putting it another way: the rhetoric of EU politicians is somehow to save Twitter as a network. To right the wrongs.
Perhaps the alternative is preferable? Grind it into insolvency as fast as possible - as a warning to others as to what happens if you mess with the EU on digital policy in future.
It’s one hell of a big sacrificial lamb though…
and for some people experienced at scaling and securing webapps to start work on viable platform ASAP....
this thing here looks like it needs serious work.
So maybe not just "investing in legislation", but also "funding open source development" of scalable / secure platforms (such as improvements to mastodon). Always with the condition to "keep it open source" of course.
On legislation front: What sources of funding are acceptable to cover running costs? Are fully commercial operators / merges / acquisitions (pawoo.net style) desirable / allowed?
Jon Worth
Jan Wildeboer 😷
Oliver Schönrock