2.3 KiB
2.3 KiB
Linux and Social Media - and How They Coexist?
- source idea: https://micronews.debian.org/2025/1738154246.html
NOTE:
It is clear this was a simple explanation about leaving X/Twitter.
The link below is a scrapped commit message that was NOT used by Jean-Pierre Giraud.
- Debian fosstodon: https://fosstodon.org/@debian@framapiaf.org
The Social Media Dilemma for Linux Users
Privacy concerns, tracking, and the open-source struggle
I. Intro: The Eternal Conflict
- We love Linux because it’s private, open-source, and respects our freedom.
- But... we also like doomscrolling and arguing online.
- Social media and FOSS ideals don’t mix well — so what do we do?
II. Privacy? What Privacy?
- Big Tech is Watching (Always).
- Every click, like, and scroll is tracked.
- Your data isn’t just collected — it’s sold, analyzed, and used to keep you online longer.
- Linux Users Prefer to Be Ghosts.
- We disable telemetry, block trackers, and say "no" to anything closed-source.
- But somehow, we’re still on Twitter ranting about it.
III. Tracking: Can We Actually Escape?
- Social Media Knows More About You Than You Do.
- Even if you use Linux, tracking scripts, cookies, and fingerprinting follow you around.
- The Workarounds (That Almost Work).
- Firefox with privacy extensions (uBlock Origin, NoScript, etc.).
- VPNs, Tor, and pretending incognito mode is enough.
IV. Open-Source Social Media: The Underdog Story
- Mastodon, Pixelfed, and the Fediverse Dream.
- Decentralized? Yes.
- Where does BlueSky fit?
- Full of tech nerds and very little drama? Also yes.
- Will your friends ever switch? Probably not.
- Self-Hosting: The Ultimate Power Move.
- Run your own Mastodon server and control your data!
- Downside: Now you’re an unpaid sysadmin for your friends.
V. The Inevitable Conclusion
- Can Linux users ever find the perfect balance?
- Do we accept some tracking for the sake of staying connected?
- Or do we just quit social media and yell into the void (aka IRC)?