# diaspora*

> distributed social network based on software of the same name

**Wikidata**: [Q1973097](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1973097)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diaspora_(social_network))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/diaspora

## Summary
Diaspora* is a decentralized, distributed social network built on free software, allowing users to host their own servers (called "pods") and retain control over their data. Launched in 2010, it emphasizes privacy and autonomy as an alternative to centralized platforms like Facebook. The network operates across independently hosted instances, enabling interoperability without relying on a single authority.

## Key Facts
- **Inception**: Launched in 2010, initially funded through crowdfunding.
- **License**: Free software released under the GNU Affero General Public License (AGPL-3.0).
- **Decentralized Structure**: A distributed network with user data hosted on independent servers (pods) rather than a central hub.
- **Programming Language**: Built using Ruby on Rails.
- **Version History**: Key releases include versions 0.1.0 (2016) through 0.1.9 (2017), with ongoing updates.
- **Official Website**: https://diasporafoundation.org/.
- **URI Scheme**: Registered "diaspora" URI scheme with IANA (2017).

## FAQs
### Q: How is diaspora* different from centralized social networks like Facebook?
A: Diaspora* decentralizes data storage across user-controlled servers (pods), avoiding single points of failure and giving users ownership over their content.

### Q: Is diaspora* free to use?
A: Yes, it is free and open-source software (AGPL-3.0), allowing anyone to host a pod or modify the code.

### Q: Is diaspora* still active?
A: While its popularity peaked in the early 2010s, the network remains operational with active pods and occasional updates as of 2023.

## Why It Matters
Diaspora* represents an early and influential effort to create a privacy-centric, decentralized social networking model. It emerged amid growing concerns over data exploitation by centralized platforms, offering users autonomy over their digital presence. By enabling self-hosted pods, it reduces reliance on corporate infrastructure and mitigates risks of mass surveillance or censorship. Though its user base remains niche compared to mainstream platforms, diaspora* laid groundwork for later decentralized projects like Mastodon and the broader Fediverse. Its open-source framework also encourages community-driven development, ensuring adaptability to evolving privacy needs.

## Notable For
- **Pioneering Decentralized Social Networking**: One of the first major projects to challenge centralized platforms with a distributed architecture.
- **Crowdfunding Success**: Raised over $200,000 in 2010 to fund initial development, demonstrating early public interest in ethical tech alternatives.
- **Open-Source Foundation**: AGPL-3.0 licensing ensures transparency and community involvement in development.
- **Interoperability**: Part of the broader Fediverse, enabling cross-platform communication with other ActivityPub-compatible services.

## Body
### History and Development
- **Launch**: Founded in 2010 by a team of New York University students, initially gaining traction through a crowdfunding campaign.
- **Decline and Legacy**: Activity decreased after 2012 due to competition from larger platforms and usability challenges, but it remains a foundational project for decentralized social networking.

### Technical Details
- **Architecture**: Users join pods (independent servers) that communicate via the diaspora* protocol, allowing cross-pod interactions.
- **Key Releases**:
  - Version 0.1.0 (2016-08-06): Initial stable release of the federation protocol.
  - Subsequent updates (0.1.1–0.1.9) focused on bug fixes and security improvements through 2017.
- **GitHub Repository**: Source code hosted at https://github.com/diaspora/diaspora.

### Licensing and Funding
- **AGPL-3.0 License**: Ensures that modifications to the software are contributed back to the community.
- **Crowdfunding**: Initial funding via Kickstarter in 2010, with later support from community donations.

### Current Status
- **Active Pods**: A directory of public pods is maintained at https://diaspora.fediverse.observer/.
- **Community**: Supported by volunteer developers and users, with discussions on platforms like Reddit (r/diaspora).

## References

1. [Source](https://github.com/diaspora/diaspora_federation/blob/develop/LICENSE)
2. [Release 0.1.0. 2016](https://github.com/diaspora/diaspora_federation/releases/tag/v0.1.0)
3. [Release 0.1.1. 2016](https://github.com/diaspora/diaspora_federation/releases/tag/v0.1.1)
4. [Release 0.1.2. 2016](https://github.com/diaspora/diaspora_federation/releases/tag/v0.1.2)
5. [Release 0.1.3. 2016](https://github.com/diaspora/diaspora_federation/releases/tag/v0.1.3)
6. [Release 0.1.4. 2016](https://github.com/diaspora/diaspora_federation/releases/tag/v0.1.4)
7. [Release 0.1.5. 2016](https://github.com/diaspora/diaspora_federation/releases/tag/v0.1.5)
8. [Release 0.1.6. 2017](https://github.com/diaspora/diaspora_federation/releases/tag/v0.1.6)
9. [Release 0.1.7. 2017](https://github.com/diaspora/diaspora_federation/releases/tag/v0.1.7)
10. [Release 0.1.8. 2017](https://github.com/diaspora/diaspora_federation/releases/tag/v0.1.8)
11. [Release 0.1.9. 2017](https://github.com/diaspora/diaspora_federation/releases/tag/v0.1.9)
12. [Release 0.2.0. 2017](https://github.com/diaspora/diaspora_federation/releases/tag/v0.2.0)
13. [Release 0.2.1. 2017](https://github.com/diaspora/diaspora_federation/releases/tag/v0.2.1)
14. [Release 0.2.2. 2017](https://github.com/diaspora/diaspora_federation/releases/tag/v0.2.2)
15. [Release 0.2.3. 2018](https://github.com/diaspora/diaspora_federation/releases/tag/v0.2.3)
16. [Release 0.2.4. 2018](https://github.com/diaspora/diaspora_federation/releases/tag/v0.2.4)
17. [Release 0.2.5. 2018](https://github.com/diaspora/diaspora_federation/releases/tag/v0.2.5)
18. [Release 0.2.6. 2019](https://github.com/diaspora/diaspora_federation/releases/tag/v0.2.6)
19. [Source](https://github.com/diaspora/diaspora/releases/tag/v0.7.13.0)
20. [Release 0.0.0.0. 2013](https://github.com/diaspora/diaspora/releases/tag/v0.0.0.0)
21. [Release 0.0.1.0. 2013](https://github.com/diaspora/diaspora/releases/tag/v0.0.1.0)
22. [Release 0.0.1.1. 2013](https://github.com/diaspora/diaspora/releases/tag/v0.0.1.1)
23. [Release 0.0.1.2. 2013](https://github.com/diaspora/diaspora/releases/tag/v0.0.1.2)
24. [Release 0.0.2.0. 2013](https://github.com/diaspora/diaspora/releases/tag/v0.0.2.0)
25. [Release 0.0.2.1. 2013](https://github.com/diaspora/diaspora/releases/tag/v0.0.2.1)
26. [Release 0.0.2.2. 2013](https://github.com/diaspora/diaspora/releases/tag/v0.0.2.2)
27. [Release 0.0.2.3. 2013](https://github.com/diaspora/diaspora/releases/tag/v0.0.2.3)
28. [Release 0.0.2.5. 2013](https://github.com/diaspora/diaspora/releases/tag/v0.0.2.5)
29. [Release 0.0.3.0. 2013](https://github.com/diaspora/diaspora/releases/tag/v0.0.3.0)
30. [Release 0.0.3.1. 2013](https://github.com/diaspora/diaspora/releases/tag/v0.0.3.1)
31. [Release 0.0.3.2. 2013](https://github.com/diaspora/diaspora/releases/tag/v0.0.3.2)
32. [Release 0.0.3.3. 2013](https://github.com/diaspora/diaspora/releases/tag/v0.0.3.3)
33. [Release 0.0.3.4. 2013](https://github.com/diaspora/diaspora/releases/tag/v0.0.3.4)
34. [Release 0.1.0.0. 2013](https://github.com/diaspora/diaspora/releases/tag/v0.1.0.0)
35. [Release 0.1.0.1. 2013](https://github.com/diaspora/diaspora/releases/tag/v0.1.0.1)
36. [Release 0.1.1.0. 2013](https://github.com/diaspora/diaspora/releases/tag/v0.1.1.0)
37. [Release 0.2.0.0. 2013](https://github.com/diaspora/diaspora/releases/tag/v0.2.0.0)
38. [Release 0.2.0.1. 2013](https://github.com/diaspora/diaspora/releases/tag/v0.2.0.1)
39. [Release 0.3.0.0. 2014](https://github.com/diaspora/diaspora/releases/tag/v0.3.0.0)
40. [Release 0.3.0.1. 2014](https://github.com/diaspora/diaspora/releases/tag/v0.3.0.1)
41. [Release 0.3.0.2. 2014](https://github.com/diaspora/diaspora/releases/tag/v0.3.0.2)
42. [Release 0.3.0.3. 2014](https://github.com/diaspora/diaspora/releases/tag/v0.3.0.3)
43. [Release 0.4.0.0. 2014](https://github.com/diaspora/diaspora/releases/tag/v0.4.0.0)
44. [Release 0.4.0.1. 2014](https://github.com/diaspora/diaspora/releases/tag/v0.4.0.1)
45. [Release 0.4.1.0. 2014](https://github.com/diaspora/diaspora/releases/tag/v0.4.1.0)
46. [Release 0.4.1.1. 2014](https://github.com/diaspora/diaspora/releases/tag/v0.4.1.1)
47. [Release 0.4.1.2. 2014](https://github.com/diaspora/diaspora/releases/tag/v0.4.1.2)
48. [Release 0.4.1.3. 2015](https://github.com/diaspora/diaspora/releases/tag/v0.4.1.3)
49. [Release 0.5.0.0. 2015](https://github.com/diaspora/diaspora/releases/tag/v0.5.0.0)
50. [Release 0.5.0.1. 2015](https://github.com/diaspora/diaspora/releases/tag/v0.5.0.1)