Mastodon will soon be owned by a non-profit entity

While Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg have shown that one person’s whim can turn an entire social network upside down, Mastodon CEO and creator Eugene Rushko is going in the opposite direction. In a Published today, the Mastodon team announced its intention to let a new non-profit organization take over the company. In other words, Rushko is voluntarily handing over the reins to the service he founded nearly a decade ago.

The company has taken some steps towards forming a US-based non-profit corporation This entity will continue to exist as a “fundraising center.” However, the company as a whole will continue to base its operations abroad. “We are taking the time to select the appropriate jurisdiction and structure in Europe, after which we will identify other (sub)legal structures necessary to support operations and sustainability,” the company wrote. Mastodon says the restructuring will take place within the next six months.

Rutschko has made his position against Musk clear. “He touched you”“Two years ago. He has too.” The last “Very disturbing.” While Mastodon has not been a clear player in terms of raw user numbers like Threads or Bluesky, for example, in the post-X restructuring of social media, Mastodon may still find the most ethical path forward.