Mastodon gets Sovereign Tech Agency funding
6 hours ago
- #funding
- #fediverse
- #open-source
- Mastodon receives €614k service agreement from Sovereign Tech Fund to improve infrastructure and the Fediverse ecosystem.
- €90k allocated to support other Fediverse projects implementing new protocols developed under this agreement.
- Two new backend developers will be hired to work on deliverables over the next two years.
- Deliverable 1: Blocklist synchronization improvements for moderation, including implementation of the FIRES protocol for shared blocklists by end of 2026.
- Deliverable 2: Remote media storage via a Fediverse Auxiliary Service Provider (FASP) to reduce costs and storage issues, targeted for completion by end of 2026.
- Deliverable 3: Automated content detection service as a FASP for spam and illegal content scanning, with transparency and opt-in options, implementation by end of Q2 2027.
- Deliverable 4: End-to-end encryption for private messages, coordinating with the Social Web Foundation and implementing after W3C specifications are finalized, expected in 2027.
- Deliverable 5: Documentation improvements, including a new website, upgrade instructions, and container-based installation methods, to be worked on concurrently.
- Future steps include recruitment, blog updates, and a form for Fediverse projects to register for interoperability funding.
- Continued reliance on user donations is emphasized alongside the new funding for sustainable development of the open social web.