As Facebook Takes Heat, Could A New Alternative Gain Traction?

Yesterday there was a substantial amount of buzz about a new Facebook alternative being developed by four NYU students. Traditionally, such alternatives wouldn’t even have a shot, but due to the increasing pressure against Facebook, the press jumped on the story. The question remains however: would users switch from Facebook to an alternative service where they own and have complete control over their data?

Average Users Don’t Understand Facebook Privacy

Due to the constant changes to Facebook’s privacy settings, we’d assume that the average user has no idea how to effectively manage their privacy settings. As many users have noticed, just opting out from the new “Instant Personalization” service alone is not sufficient. Instead, users must go through additional steps to ensure their data is not accessed by third-party sites like Yelp.

Most users don’t want to spend hours at a time managing their Facebook Privacy and the numerous settings can be somewhat overwhelming. We believe the most frequent user behavior is to quickly review privacy settings and then move on. However some users like to spend more time controlling their settings.

Some Users Are Frustrated

For those users who have edited their settings each time Facebook makes a change, it has become too much of a process. The result is that many have become extremely frustrated with Facebook and now, four NYU students believe they have a solution. The solution is a peer-to-peer hosted network. Users in the network can set up their own servers that host user data in the network. The closest comparison we could come up with is bittorrent, one of the leading peer-to-peer file sharing services.

The main purpose is to not have a corporation owning the user data, as Facebook currently does. Right now, Facebook is able to use the massive amounts of user data they have as an opportunity to market to users. While there are a lot of unknown variables about Diaspora, the distributed social network, right now is a great time for the service to get off the ground.

Many people don’t want Facebook to own all of a user’s data, for obvious reasons. With millions of frustrated users, Diaspora has a rapidly growing target market. While the hurdles for building the next Facebook are significant, Diaspora is attempting to empower Facebook users. As the company describes:

Diaspora aims to be a distributed network, where totally separate computers connect to each other directly, will let us connect without surrendering our privacy. We call these computers ‘seeds’. A seed is owned by you, hosted by you, or on a rented server. Once it has been set up, the seed will aggregate all of your information: your facebook profile, tweets, anything. We are designing an easily extendable plugin framework for Diaspora, so that whenever newfangled content gets invented, it will be automagically integrated into every seed.

Now that you have your information in your seed, it will connect to every service you used to have for you. For example, your seed will keep pulling tweets and you will still be able to see your Facebook newsfeed. In fact, Diaspora will make those services better! Upload an image to Flickr and your seed can automatically generate a tweet from the caption and link. Social networking will just get better when you have control over your data.

Can The Experience Be As Good As Facebook?

The greater question facing Diaspora is whether or not the company can actually build a service that is as easy to interact with or better than Facebook. For now we’ll have to wait, but the I can understand the drive behind wanting to own your data. I for one and not willing to just voluntarily give up all control, even though some people, like Robert Scoble, are willing to give up easily.

While I don’t think users are willing to quit Facebook just yet (although some would like them to), providing an easy way for users to make the shift off of Facebook for the benefit of owning your data may actually have a chance. I’m not sure what Facebook will do to fend off a service like Diaspora, but I think this company could actually have a shot as long as the user experience is a good one. Would you stop using Facebook just to own your data? Do you think this is a strong enough rationale to stop using the service?

Inside Social Apps 2012 is Less Than Two Weeks Away

Mediabistro Event

Inside Social Apps, held on February 8-9 in San Francisco, is less than two weeks away. This is the third conference on the future of monetization on social and mobile platforms. Leaders from the industry will share their views on today's most formidable challenges affecting social and mobile apps and games in 2012. Inside Social Apps conferences sell out in advance, so take advantage of early registration pricing. Early bird rates end on February 1, so register today.

1428419 Comments2010-05-12+18%3A34%3A20Nick+O%27Neill »

I remember the "old days" when people thought nothing could top KMart, and that it therefore would never die. Heck, I even remember recently when the thought of NOT having a Myspace was blasphemous. Facebook is NOT invincible. In fact, I think we ARE seeing the beginning of the end.

Comment by Ally — May 12, 2010 @ 10:54 am
I hope they get the service off the ground and destroy FaceBook just because of the sheer greed FB displays.

Comment by Eric Rosario — May 12, 2010 @ 10:56 am
FB will die it's own natural death (sooner if they keep doing annoying things), but I don't see this as a viable replacement of any size. This potential alternative is dead in the water with the vast majority of the population as soon as the phrase "Users in the network can set up their own servers" is used, the average person wants no part of what sounds like a major time and/or money investment.

Comment by Jon Loveless — May 12, 2010 @ 11:19 am
If you think size matters, ask MySpace how that went for them.

Comment by Mike Weber — May 12, 2010 @ 11:35 am
> Would you stop using Facebook just to own your data? Do you > think this is a strong enough rationale to stop using the

> service?

I will jump to another platform in a new-york-minute.

Of course I want to own my data.

However, the current issues aren't so much about "owning" my own data as it is about wanting a service provider who won't keep changing the terms and conditions underneath me.

FB treats us as "users" rather than customers. They are very clear that their customers are the companies paying money for access to the users.

I would even pay a small fee to another provider to get respectful treatment.

Comment by me — May 12, 2010 @ 11:44 am
I'm only interested if it's for college only. It ha to be closed and restricted to verifiable email addresses. Anything less will be overrun with spam just like fb has had happen to it.

And ideally I'd prefer if lymabean.com would get up off their aaaa and relaunch their freakin site.

Oh, and I don like p2p much, there's always a bad seed in the apple.

I'd stop using fb just to get away from the stupid apps, children, and spam. But like I said, that won't happen unless it's a college only site that replaces it. Most of the college students who were on fb in '04/05 freely gave their info out like phone # and dorm room. Course that info was available in the campus directory anyway, but outsiders don't know about those.

Comment by Guest — May 12, 2010 @ 12:09 pm
I agree with Jon above, when I read, "Users in the network can set up their own servers", I basically checked out. Users want to just log on and get going. But yes, there needs to be another option because users are getting tired of being jerked around by Facebook.

Comment by Allyson — May 12, 2010 @ 12:14 pm
I stopped using Facebook, and if this new service delivers, I am in, and my mother will be be in too, if she wants to see some new pictures of her grandchild

Comment by sm — May 12, 2010 @ 1:39 pm
If you thought FB was bad, check out Google Social Search (while you’re logged into your main Gmail account): http://www.google.com/s2/search/social.

It shows all of your chat contacts to each other (as well as your Google profile connections, but at least you can opt out of that) through your “secondary connections”. You can opt out of the rest, but you can’t opt chat contacts out of social search unless you delete or block them. So, if you want to chat with someone, you give them access to every other person you chat with. Google seems to be aware of this, but does not care.

(Check out the help page.: http://www.google.com/support/websearch/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=165228 )

This is unacceptable. Let’s tell the major tech companies that we care about our data and our privacy. Let’s make them make it a priority to respect their users.

Comment by Jennifer — May 12, 2010 @ 4:52 pm
I deleted my FB account two days ago, though I must wait two weeks for it to take effect. It is no longer worth the hassle of trying to figure out what they have already done and what they will end up doing next. I'm checking Diaspora out.

Comment by jg — May 12, 2010 @ 5:03 pm
Why is diaspora news?

BuddyPress, a branch of WordPress, but for white-label Social Networks has been around for a while and is now at Version 1.23.

Comment by Simon Baptist — May 13, 2010 @ 12:33 am
the notion of diaspora taking off is hilarious. even if facebook continues to screw up, no one wants to be a 'node.' only hardcore nerds will care. even if it took off to some degree of popularity, they're forgetting the massive infrastructure costs associated with facebook, not to mention the scale at which facebook code operates. it's not possible for four geeks with neckbeards to take on the 800 lb gorilla in the room, not like this.

Comment by fire-ant — May 13, 2010 @ 8:52 am
Hubbub (http://hubbub.at) has been doing the exact same thing as Diaspora for months, the same distributed idea. AND it has working code right now, instead of just a boatload of money and lots of publicity.

Comment by Udo Schroeter — May 15, 2010 @ 2:18 am
While this might actually be a good idea, it's not a true alternative to Facebook. Creating a Facebook account requires little, if any, technical knowledge on the user's part. Largely because, it's part of a "cloud" network that's already been build and is already being hosted and maintained by someone else.

Diaspora is technically a node, requiring you to install it yourself on your own server, and maintain it. How many average users possess that kind of knowledge?

Comment by D S — May 17, 2010 @ 7:24 am
As a grandma who wants to be able to see the latest updates on the grandkids, I can make two comments about Facebook:

1) I am appalled at the audacity with which Facebook changes its privacy policy, luring me in with promises that what I want to remain private for family only WILL STAY PRIVATE;

2) I have shut down my Facebook page, first deleting all contents;

3) I am searching for an alternative, while the silly kids keep asking why I have left Facebook (I think they will post photos on a new site once I find one that is reasonable in its privacy policies);

4) I think the idea of Diaspora is lovely …. for geeks;

5) I do not want to have to set up a server in my home to keep up with kids and grandkids, and it would appear that Diaspora would require this;

6) It may be time for a not-for-profit to set up a social networking site that respects user privacy – monetization could be from a tiered system rather than selling user information to advertising – users could pay a small fee to access the bells and whistles, thus covering server costs.

I am insufficiently geeky to know if #6 is viable. If it is, I would happily pay a few dollars per month for a privacy-respecting social networking service.

Comment by Foresty Granny — May 17, 2010 @ 9:36 am
There is an alternative to facebook coming this September. It's called somethingcoolhappened.com. You will be able to upload videos, pictures and stories of cool things that happen to you or someone you know. You will also be able to create your own custom avatar! It's going to be very cool. Check it out!

Comment by coolhappened — July 11, 2010 @ 5:21 pm
I'm looking forward to JoinDiaspora. Hope it becomes as viable and delightful as firefox.

Comment by alicetalks — July 28, 2010 @ 7:34 am
[...] AllFacebook’s editor Nick O’Neill already explained, there are several potential problems facing Diaspora. Its success relies on two assumptions: 1- [...]

Pingback by “Facebook Killer” Diaspora Finally Launches Alpha Version — November 25, 2010 @ 2:45 pm
check out http://www.theblotter.co — It lets you organize your friends in to groups and share what you want with whom you want, and it's really easy to use!

Comment by brandon — March 28, 2011 @ 7:05 pm

RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URL

I remember the "old days" when people thought nothing could top KMart, and that it therefore would never die. Heck, I even remember recently when the thought of NOT having a Myspace was blasphemous. Facebook is NOT invincible. In fact, I think we ARE seeing the beginning of the end.

Comment by Ally — May 12, 2010 @ 10:54 am

I hope they get the service off the ground and destroy FaceBook just because of the sheer greed FB displays.

Comment by Eric Rosario — May 12, 2010 @ 10:56 am

FB will die it's own natural death (sooner if they keep doing annoying things), but I don't see this as a viable replacement of any size. This potential alternative is dead in the water with the vast majority of the population as soon as the phrase "Users in the network can set up their own servers" is used, the average person wants no part of what sounds like a major time and/or money investment.

Comment by Jon Loveless — May 12, 2010 @ 11:19 am

If you think size matters, ask MySpace how that went for them.

Comment by Mike Weber — May 12, 2010 @ 11:35 am

> Would you stop using Facebook just to own your data? Do you > think this is a strong enough rationale to stop using the

> service?

I will jump to another platform in a new-york-minute.

Of course I want to own my data.

However, the current issues aren't so much about "owning" my own data as it is about wanting a service provider who won't keep changing the terms and conditions underneath me.

FB treats us as "users" rather than customers. They are very clear that their customers are the companies paying money for access to the users.

I would even pay a small fee to another provider to get respectful treatment.

Comment by me — May 12, 2010 @ 11:44 am

I'm only interested if it's for college only. It ha to be closed and restricted to verifiable email addresses. Anything less will be overrun with spam just like fb has had happen to it.

And ideally I'd prefer if lymabean.com would get up off their aaaa and relaunch their freakin site.

Oh, and I don like p2p much, there's always a bad seed in the apple.

I'd stop using fb just to get away from the stupid apps, children, and spam. But like I said, that won't happen unless it's a college only site that replaces it. Most of the college students who were on fb in '04/05 freely gave their info out like phone # and dorm room. Course that info was available in the campus directory anyway, but outsiders don't know about those.

Comment by Guest — May 12, 2010 @ 12:09 pm

I agree with Jon above, when I read, "Users in the network can set up their own servers", I basically checked out. Users want to just log on and get going. But yes, there needs to be another option because users are getting tired of being jerked around by Facebook.

Comment by Allyson — May 12, 2010 @ 12:14 pm

I stopped using Facebook, and if this new service delivers, I am in, and my mother will be be in too, if she wants to see some new pictures of her grandchild

Comment by sm — May 12, 2010 @ 1:39 pm

If you thought FB was bad, check out Google Social Search (while you’re logged into your main Gmail account): http://www.google.com/s2/search/social.

It shows all of your chat contacts to each other (as well as your Google profile connections, but at least you can opt out of that) through your “secondary connections”. You can opt out of the rest, but you can’t opt chat contacts out of social search unless you delete or block them. So, if you want to chat with someone, you give them access to every other person you chat with. Google seems to be aware of this, but does not care.

(Check out the help page.: http://www.google.com/support/websearch/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=165228 )

This is unacceptable. Let’s tell the major tech companies that we care about our data and our privacy. Let’s make them make it a priority to respect their users.

Comment by Jennifer — May 12, 2010 @ 4:52 pm

I deleted my FB account two days ago, though I must wait two weeks for it to take effect. It is no longer worth the hassle of trying to figure out what they have already done and what they will end up doing next. I'm checking Diaspora out.

Comment by jg — May 12, 2010 @ 5:03 pm

Why is diaspora news?

BuddyPress, a branch of WordPress, but for white-label Social Networks has been around for a while and is now at Version 1.23.

Comment by Simon Baptist — May 13, 2010 @ 12:33 am

the notion of diaspora taking off is hilarious. even if facebook continues to screw up, no one wants to be a 'node.' only hardcore nerds will care. even if it took off to some degree of popularity, they're forgetting the massive infrastructure costs associated with facebook, not to mention the scale at which facebook code operates. it's not possible for four geeks with neckbeards to take on the 800 lb gorilla in the room, not like this.

Comment by fire-ant — May 13, 2010 @ 8:52 am

Hubbub (http://hubbub.at) has been doing the exact same thing as Diaspora for months, the same distributed idea. AND it has working code right now, instead of just a boatload of money and lots of publicity.

Comment by Udo Schroeter — May 15, 2010 @ 2:18 am

While this might actually be a good idea, it's not a true alternative to Facebook. Creating a Facebook account requires little, if any, technical knowledge on the user's part. Largely because, it's part of a "cloud" network that's already been build and is already being hosted and maintained by someone else.

Diaspora is technically a node, requiring you to install it yourself on your own server, and maintain it. How many average users possess that kind of knowledge?

Comment by D S — May 17, 2010 @ 7:24 am

As a grandma who wants to be able to see the latest updates on the grandkids, I can make two comments about Facebook:

1) I am appalled at the audacity with which Facebook changes its privacy policy, luring me in with promises that what I want to remain private for family only WILL STAY PRIVATE;

2) I have shut down my Facebook page, first deleting all contents;

3) I am searching for an alternative, while the silly kids keep asking why I have left Facebook (I think they will post photos on a new site once I find one that is reasonable in its privacy policies);

4) I think the idea of Diaspora is lovely …. for geeks;

5) I do not want to have to set up a server in my home to keep up with kids and grandkids, and it would appear that Diaspora would require this;

6) It may be time for a not-for-profit to set up a social networking site that respects user privacy – monetization could be from a tiered system rather than selling user information to advertising – users could pay a small fee to access the bells and whistles, thus covering server costs.

I am insufficiently geeky to know if #6 is viable. If it is, I would happily pay a few dollars per month for a privacy-respecting social networking service.

Comment by Foresty Granny — May 17, 2010 @ 9:36 am

There is an alternative to facebook coming this September. It's called somethingcoolhappened.com. You will be able to upload videos, pictures and stories of cool things that happen to you or someone you know. You will also be able to create your own custom avatar! It's going to be very cool. Check it out!

Comment by coolhappened — July 11, 2010 @ 5:21 pm

I'm looking forward to JoinDiaspora. Hope it becomes as viable and delightful as firefox.

Comment by alicetalks — July 28, 2010 @ 7:34 am

[...] AllFacebook’s editor Nick O’Neill already explained, there are several potential problems facing Diaspora. Its success relies on two assumptions: 1- [...]

Pingback by “Facebook Killer” Diaspora Finally Launches Alpha Version — November 25, 2010 @ 2:45 pm

check out http://www.theblotter.co — It lets you organize your friends in to groups and share what you want with whom you want, and it's really easy to use!

Comment by brandon — March 28, 2011 @ 7:05 pm

As Facebook Takes Heat, Could A New Alternative Gain Traction?

Average Users Don’t Understand Facebook Privacy

Some Users Are Frustrated

Can The Experience Be As Good As Facebook?

Recommended Articles

Inside Social Apps 2012 is Less Than Two Weeks Away

1428419 Comments2010-05-12+18%3A34%3A20Nick+O%27Neill »

Leave a comment

Follow AllFacebook

Send us a Tip

Social Media Jobs

Let your next job find you!

Featured Company

Jobs of the Day

3D Artist

Healthcare Editor

UX Artist

See all jobs

Upcoming Events

As Facebook Takes Heat, Could A New Alternative Gain Traction?

Average Users Don’t Understand Facebook Privacy

Some Users Are Frustrated

Can The Experience Be As Good As Facebook?

Recommended Articles

Inside Social Apps 2012 is Less Than Two Weeks Away

1428419 Commentshttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.allfacebook.com%2Fas-facebook-takes-heat-could-a-new-alternative-gain-traction-2010-05As+Facebook+Takes+Heat%2C+Could+A+New+Alternative+Gain+Traction%3F2010-05-12+18%3A34%3A20Nick+O%27Neillhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.allfacebook.com%2F%3Fp%3D14284 »

Leave a comment

Follow AllFacebook

Send us a Tip

Social Media Jobs

Let your next job find you!

Featured Company

Jobs of the Day

3D Artist

Healthcare Editor

UX Artist

See all jobs

Upcoming Events

1428419 Comments2010-05-12+18%3A34%3A20Nick+O%27Neill »