dansup
After some careful consideration, I have decided to block threads.net on pixelfed.social and .art by default However, users will have the ability to unblock the domain Soon we will be selectively enforcing authorized fetch for accounts with domain blocks so as to provide the best of both worlds. (I'm also shipping a command for :pixelfed: admins to easily add user domain blocks for all local users) I'm eager to hear your feedback! 45 comments
 
BΓ¨r Kessels π π π π±
@dansup will you be reviewing your consideration when you have data? E.g. the amount of your users that manually unblock. Or amount of interactions with threads? Or when you have a statistical significant amount of "reports" or "flags" over various domains, incl Threads?
BΓ¨r Kessels π π π π±
@dansup I understand your position. But feel rather uncomfortable when such choices are made "on gut feelings" and won't be reconsidered once there is actual data to make these decisions on. (Do note I'm not for or against your choice. I'm merely hoping you'd make such choices on their merits and not "feelings". And do note that I realize we currently lack these "merits". So I understand and respect your choice and stance!) 
Joshua Strobl :verified:
@dansup Glad you offer the ability to unblock it. I would certainly close my pixelfed account if it didn't.  
Alexis Bushnell
@dansup IMO that's actually a great way to protect the Fediverse while giving individuals the option. I didn't even realise it was possible to do it that way round   
Danie van der Merwe
@dansup I've always been pro-choice for users to block or not, but like some others I think it would have been better to have had the default as-is (open) and then users choose to block.Blocking on behalf of everyone seems to veer more towards censorship (my opinion). But OK choice is at least there. I'm keen ton reconnect again with my wife who is not on any alternative social networks.
Tokk :arch:
@dansup Default Blocking of big instances will slowly kill the fediverse. If big companies learn that they are not welcome they won't make efforts any more and let's be honest here: Most Users don't care and won't be in the fediverse in this case.
Tokk :arch:
@dansup The difference is the power/Userbase each Network has. To become equal, the Fediverse must open its doors and welcome users. Instead they are blocked everywhere and won't get interested in it. 
Flock of Cats π π π πΈ
Thanks Dan. I think opt-in is a good way to go with meta for pixelfed in particular. Many users are on pixelfed because they made a conscious choice to not be on Instagram. This doesnβt mean every company that wants to get on the fedi would need to be opt-inβ¦meta seems like a special case. Even meta admits there is a βtrust deficitβ, and they are doing opt-in as well, so I think this is a good call.
AndrewFelix ππ΄ββ οΈ π΅πΈ
@dansup there are some amazing artists on threads. Personally I donβt think itβs a great idea, and it may limit potential growth.
dansup
@andrewfelix I don't doubt that, but I believe this is the best path forward with regards to the feedback I have received. Those that want to federate/interact with threads can easily do so, while keeping a healthy default for those who may not realize they are federating with Threads or otherwise.
AndrewFelix ππ΄ββ οΈ π΅πΈ
@dansup on the other hand people might not be aware itβs blocked by default.
jill :fediverse:
@dansup well done! Indeed well done. And so nice to read, that you still think of Pixelfed as a community. Thank you! π :fediverse:
jill :fediverse:
@dansup non-technical person here! What does that mean "Soon we will be selectively enforcing authorized fetch for accounts with domain blocks so as to provide the best of both worlds."? 
Kudra :maybe_verified:
@jill @dansup I suspect this is because Mastodon doesn't use authorised fetch by default, and only using it with some instances means you allow people to continue to communicate with the instances that don't have it turned on (if I understand correctly, this is a lot of Mastodon). It would be infinitely better if all Mastodon used authorise fetch by default, it is more secure, and many other Fediverse projects do.
jill :fediverse:
@kudra thanks! I found a good description here (in German): https://mastodon.de/@samid/111612072452364186
Nils Weisensee
@dansup I disagree with your decision on this. It's detrimental to the spirit of the fediverse and a strange choice for what aims to be an open network. Offer all the blocking options you want, but shutting down by default what may become a giant part of the fediverse strikes me as a very unfortunate choice.
solitarywalker
@dansup Unfortunately all youβve done here is state your decision, without any reasoning behind it. That makes it seem arbitrary and hostile. What harmful/abusive behavior is this instance engaging in which you feel justifies blocking at that level? 
Esther Payne π΄σ §σ ’σ ³σ £σ ΄σ Ώ
@dansup thank you for doing this. I think it's a very important part of the fediverse to have this attitude. To give an example of community based hosting with a focus on Freedom of association and Consent. Yes Free speech is also important for our internet. But it can't come at the expense of harms to others.
dansup
@onepict Exactly, and I really appreciate all the feedback. I listen, and am trying to do the right thing, so keep me true to my word and I will do my best to make it happen! I could have totally handled this way better, and it's a learning experience for me def, thanks again for understanding π
Esther Payne π΄σ §σ ’σ ³σ £σ ΄σ Ώ
@dansup you do have a lot going on and it is hard to balance developing, communication and also your own personal needs. Many folks on here do have friends and family on Facebook and Instagram. It can be hard to figure these things out and on Fedi there is an quite rightly an expectation of transparency. Which is it's own pressure for a project. Especially with the stage you are at being the developer and the figurehead. It's an issue for lots of projects.     
MrCopilot
@dansup just from an administrative perspective, having the floodgates of reportage opening to deal with makes this decision seem obvious and sensible. Philosophically, there is ample space for disagreement, but each admin and user has to grapple with each other's choices. This is in contrast to the very services trying to federate. Where the user must endure the fickle whims of the tech bro CEO, corporate board, advertisers & market. All to say, glad you made a thoughtful choice Dan. 
Debbie Goldsmith π³οΈββ§οΈπ³οΈβπ
@dansup Not happy. I will unblock it for my account as soon as that feature is available. Could you please point me at the PR so I can follow it? 
PhilipKing
@dansup I donβt understand this. I see on Threads ordinary people doing ordinary things. Perhaps youβd like to explain what it is you are worried about?
Thu Htoo San :fedora:
@dansup Thank you! You've made the right decision for the community. Opt-in is the way it should be from the start. |
Gregory's Server
This will be rolling out shortly, I am wrapping up the PR and preparing to merge/deploy it to my servers!