CITAD to Launch dComms as Decentralized Alternative to Global Social Media Giants

By Mustapha Salisu

The Executive Director of the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), Malam Y.Z. Ya’u, has announced the Centre’s readiness to introduce dComms, a decentralized communications platform designed as an alternative to the growing control of global social media platforms such as Facebook (Meta) and X (formerly Twitter).

Malam Ya’u made the announcement on Wednesday while delivering a public lecture titled “Monopolies to Fediverse: A Peep into an Alternative Social Media Space” at CITAD’s office in Kano.

He explained that dComms, a version of the Fediverse, is built on a locally hosted model that prioritizes connectivity, user autonomy, and community ownership. The platform combines the social networking features of Mastodon with the messaging capabilities of Matrix, offering users a more open and decentralized communication environment.

While acknowledging the modest reach of such platforms compared to mainstream networks, Malam Ya’u noted that Mastodon currently has around five million users, significantly fewer than the billions on platforms like Facebook and X.

“Fediverse is not the same as SplitNet,” he clarified. “While SplitNet is driven by the politics of internet fragmentation, Fediverse represents a move towards a more meaningful, people-centered internet.”

He lamented the overwhelming dominance of two tech giants Facebook and X in the digital communication space, describing them as real global monopolies.

“Between 2005 and 2025, Facebook acquired over 100 startup tech companies, while X swallowed more than 70,” he said.

Malam Ya’u also criticized these platforms for their lack of transparency, absence of accountability, and unchecked data control. He argued that their operations are largely hidden from public scrutiny.

“Unlike open-source platforms, no one has access to the source codes of these companies. Their decision-making processes are opaque, and they are accountable only to themselves. They operate solely for profit and selectively choose which national laws to follow or ignore.”

He further expressed concern about the platforms’ ability to collect and monetize user data without consent, warning of the consequences this poses for privacy and democratic processes.

“Every time we use social media, we leave behind metadata. That is why Google and Facebook often know more about us than we know ourselves. They harvest huge amounts of personal data often without consent and sell it to advertisers, political manipulators, AI developers, and others. This is a direct violation of data protection principles,” he said.

On the rising role of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Ya’u warned that it could further deepen unconsented data extraction.

“AI depends on vast volumes of personal data for training. The more it evolves, the more invasive it becomes.”

He also accused major platforms of bias and censorship, citing what he described as discriminatory practices in content moderation.

“Elon Musk has openly promoted racist and neo-Nazi content, and his platform has allowed such views to flourish. Tech giants have consistently supported Israel’s actions in Gaza while suppressing pro-Palestinian voices. On Facebook, users expressing solidarity with Palestine are often treated like terrorists and banned,” he alleged.

Quoting figures from the Sada Social Center for Digital Rights, Malam Ya’u noted that over 1,247 digital violations targeting Palestinians were recorded in June 2025 alone, highlighting what he called a growing wave of online repression.

He explained that the centralized architecture of platforms like Meta and X gives them absolute control over speech.

“Meta operates over one billion servers globally, and X manages about half that number. Because they control their infrastructure, they determine who can speak and who is silenced. This centralization also makes it easier for governments to shut down platforms within their territories.”

Malam Ya’u concluded by emphasizing the need to break the monopolistic grip of these corporations, warning of the dangers they pose to transparency, accountability, and users’ digital rights.

He called for the adoption of decentralized and community-controlled alternatives like dComms, as a way to reclaim the internet for the people.