Decentralized social graphs are reshaping how people interact online by redistributing control over data and relationships. In the current model, centralized platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn manage vast networks of personal connections. They control who accesses this data, how it is used, and whether users can transfer their connections elsewhere. This centralization leads to data monopolies, privacy risks, and limited user autonomy. Decentralized social graphs present an alternative that shifts control from corporations to individuals.
A social graph is essentially a map of relationships, representing who connects with whom. In a centralized system, this map is owned by the platform, meaning users must trust that platform with their data. However, trust is often misplaced. In 2021, Facebook (now Meta) suffered a data breach that exposed the personal information of over 500 million users. Such incidents highlight the risks of centralized control over sensitive information. Decentralized social graphs address this by using blockchain technology and decentralized protocols to distribute data control across a network, ensuring no single entity can dominate or exploit the system.
One of the key features of decentralized social graphs is user ownership. In these systems, individuals own their data and can decide how it is shared and with whom. For instance, if a user creates a profile on a decentralized network, they can export it, including their connections, posts, and preferences, to another platform without losing their digital identity. This eliminates the “walled garden” effect, where users are locked into a single platform with no easy way to transfer their connections or content.
Interoperability is another hallmark of decentralized social graphs. Using standards like Decentralized Identifiers (DIDs) and protocols like ActivityPub or the AT Protocol, users can maintain consistent identities across different platforms. For example, a creator using a decentralized system could engage their audience on multiple applications without needing to rebuild their following from scratch each time. This capability fosters a more open ecosystem where users are not bound to specific platforms, promoting competition and innovation.
Privacy is a fundamental concern addressed by decentralized social graphs. In traditional systems, user data is often monetized through targeted advertising. Decentralized systems, by contrast, store data on blockchains or distributed networks, making it more secure and less prone to misuse. Instead of selling user data, platforms can adopt alternative monetization models, such as subscriptions or token-based economies, ensuring users are not the product but the stakeholders.
Gitcoin is an example of how decentralized social graphs can function in practice. Although primarily focused on funding open-source projects, Gitcoin incorporates decentralized social elements by allowing contributors to build reputations based on their activity. These reputations can then be used across different platforms, showcasing the potential of portable online identities. In Gitcoin’s recent funding rounds, over $50 million has been allocated to community-chosen projects, emphasizing how decentralized systems can empower collective decision-making.
Another initiative, DeSo (Decentralized Social), operates as a blockchain specifically designed for decentralized social networks. It supports a range of applications, from social media to marketplaces, where users retain control over their social graphs. DeSo allows developers to create applications with shared user bases, eliminating the need for data silos. For example, a user who joins one DeSo-based app can seamlessly interact with others within the ecosystem.
The economics of decentralized social graphs also differ significantly from traditional systems. Tokenization often plays a central role, enabling users to earn, spend, or invest in the network. For example, a creator might issue tokens that represent a share of their social capital. Fans can buy these tokens to show support or gain exclusive access, creating a direct financial relationship between creators and their audience. Such systems remove intermediaries and allow for new forms of value exchange.
Decentralized social graphs also have implications for identity. Self-sovereign identity (SSI) is a concept closely tied to these systems, enabling users to create and control digital identities independent of centralized authorities. For example, instead of logging into multiple platforms with separate usernames and passwords, a user could use a single decentralized identifier to access all their accounts securely. SSI systems also allow users to share only the information required for specific transactions, such as verifying their age without revealing their date of birth.
One of the most exciting aspects of decentralized social graphs is their potential to empower underserved communities. In regions where access to traditional banking or identification systems is limited, decentralized technologies can provide tools for economic participation and self-expression. For example, a decentralized social network could allow users to prove their credibility or build professional relationships without relying on centralized platforms that may exclude them.
Despite these benefits, implementing decentralized social graphs is not without challenges. Security is a significant concern. While decentralization reduces the risk of mass data breaches, individual accounts remain vulnerable if users do not secure their private keys properly. Education around best practices for managing decentralized identities is crucial to ensure users can take full advantage of these systems safely.
Another challenge is scalability. Storing social graphs on blockchains can be resource-intensive, especially as networks grow. Innovations in off-chain storage solutions, like InterPlanetary File System (IPFS) and other decentralized storage technologies, are helping to address these limitations. For instance, by storing only essential data on-chain and keeping larger datasets off-chain, platforms can balance security with efficiency.
The decentralized social graph model fundamentally changes the relationship between users and platforms. In traditional systems, platforms own and monetize user data, treating individuals as products to be sold to advertisers. Decentralized systems flip this dynamic, making users stakeholders in the network. This shift not only enhances user control but also aligns incentives between platforms and their communities.
Projects like Lens Protocol exemplify this approach. Lens allows users to own their social graphs, enabling them to transfer connections and content across various applications built on its platform. For example, a user who builds a following on one Lens-based app can carry that audience to another app without rebuilding from scratch. This interoperability fosters a healthier digital ecosystem, where platforms must compete on features and user experience rather than relying on lock-in tactics.
The adoption of decentralized social graphs is accelerating, with venture funding for Web3 social platforms exceeding $200 million in 2023 alone. This growing interest reflects a broader recognition of the need for more equitable digital systems. As more people become aware of the limitations of centralized platforms, the demand for decentralized alternatives is likely to continue rising.
By redistributing control and prioritizing user ownership, decentralized social graphs challenge the dominance of traditional platforms. They offer a vision of the internet where individuals—not corporations—own their data and relationships. This paradigm shift has implications not only for social networking but also for how society organizes information and trust in the digital age.