@dheadshot @Mastodon anything you post publicly online is open for collection. Yes meta is terrible about it, but they're only gathering the information you have published publicly online.

They also don't need a branded instance on here to collect the data. Simply setting up an instance and making sure it federates with others is all they need to do to collect the same information. I would find it really hard to believe they haven't already put instances up to test the water before dumping real money into developing a new app.

Mastodon.social is most likely already federating with an instance if not multiple instances owned by Meta.

The open nature of this whole fediverse actually makes it way easier to collect data. Anyone can anonymously start an instance with no verification of who they are or there intentions and start interacting and collecting information.