Mozilla starts private beta of its own Mastodon server with strict moderation policies

Mozilla opens its own social network that uses Mastodon as a private beta. According to the company, Mozilla.social distinguishes itself with a remarkably strict moderation policy. “It will not be a neutral platform,” the company says.

Mozilla brings Mozilla.social as private beta. Users can put themselves on a waiting list, but Mozilla doesn’t say how many users will access the network and when. Mozilla.social is a Mastodon server, with which the company started an experiment last year. Mozilla writes that there is a great need for a new social medium, because it ‘takes power away from large tech companies and places it in the hands of diverse voices’.

The platform has a remarkably strict moderation policy. “We are not going to build yet another self-declared neutral platform,” the company says. Mozilla believes that neutrality is often used “as an excuse to allow behavior and content designed to harass and affect communities that have always been harassed.” Mozilla has the moderation rules laid down in general terms and conditions.

Mozilla says the rules are probably not perfect from day one. The company says it wants to talk to users about what should and should not be allowed. The company will also study other aspects of the social network, such as onboarding and how to monetize the project.