Like it or not, it should no longer be assumed that "volunteers" are running your instances.

The Mask Group, which now runs three large instances "has raised over US$50 million from private and institutional backers"—their words not mine.

@atomicpoet What is the perceived revenue stream that justifies such an investment?

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mask-network-acquires-pawoonet-one-of-the-largest-mastodon-instances-301707919.html

@atomicpoet @bullivant They may try to copy what Truth Social is doing & insert ads within people’s timelines.

Even though there are corporate-owned instances, it is particularly jarring that a corporate overlord assimilates instances now.

But I think we will see more of this for one reason: Twitter is dying, so companies are trying to “buy the next Twitter” instead of building one.

@atomicpoet @bullivant I agree. We might see corporations target #Pixelfed instances next.

Also, #Mastodon admins are going to receive lucrative offers soon, & some might sell if they are unable to pay operational costs for their servers.

It will become critical for members to support their local servers.