Mastodon to Add Quote Posts - A Controversial Feature

Mastodon to Implement Quote Posts, Mirroring a Controversial X Feature

Mastodon, positioned as a decentralized alternative to X (formerly Twitter), is progressing towards the adoption of quote posts – a feature that has proven divisive since its introduction on the platform previously known as Twitter. The company revealed on Friday details regarding the feature’s implementation, acknowledging the user concerns surrounding potential misuse for online harassment and bullying.

Concerns Regarding Online Toxicity

The inclusion of quote tweets has been frequently cited as a contributing factor to the increased toxicity observed on Twitter. Critics maintain that this addition fundamentally altered the network’s dynamic, fostering a more negative online environment.

A segment of the Mastodon user base firmly believes that quote posts are incompatible with the platform’s ethos. The concern stems from the feature’s frequent utilization for disparaging remarks directed at other users’ posts. This practice can escalate negativity and trigger a surge of abusive responses towards the original author, particularly when initiated by individuals with substantial followings.

Arguments for Feature Integration

Conversely, many Mastodon users advocate for the inclusion of quote posts. They argue that the feature streamlines the process of referencing and responding to specific content from other posts. Furthermore, integrating quote posts would align Mastodon more closely with its competitors, including X, Threads, and Bluesky.

Acknowledging User Feedback

Mastodon’s official blog post recognizes the feature as both a “source of concern” for some and a “highly requested” addition by others. The platform acknowledges the potential for content to be misrepresented or for users to receive unwanted attention as a result of quote posting.

“Numerous individuals express a desire to prevent the reframing of their content by others, or anticipate receiving unwelcome attention if their posts are reposted,” the blog post details.

Development and Mitigation Strategies

The organization secured a grant in 2024 to support the development of quote posts following initial discussions. The team is now sharing its progress, with a particular focus on strategies to address user concerns.

A key mitigation strategy involves granting users control over whether their posts can be quoted. This will offer a degree of protection against unwanted attention or abusive replies. However, it’s noted that screenshots could still be used to circumvent this control.

Users will also receive notifications when their posts are quoted, and they will retain the ability to withdraw their post from the quoted context at any time. This feature is intended to provide recourse if a quote post gains significant traction and the original poster experiences excessive attention or abuse.

Technical Challenges and Standardization

Beyond the potential for misuse, Mastodon identifies technical hurdles in implementing quote posts. A standardized approach to building the feature within ActivityPub, the protocol underpinning Mastodon and other federated apps, currently does not exist.

While some third-party Mastodon clients already offer quote post functionality, they lack the user control and privacy features Mastodon intends to incorporate. Consequently, Mastodon is collaborating to establish a specification ensuring consistent functionality across all apps and clients.

Impact on Mastodon’s Codebase

The integration of quote posts will necessitate modifications to various components of Mastodon’s codebase. This includes the ActivityPub handling code, the public API, the web user interface, moderation tools, the administration panel, and the official iOS and Android applications.

Release Timeline

Unfortunately, Mastodon’s announcement did not provide a definitive timeline for the feature’s release. The company stated that further development is required before quote posts become publicly available.