diaspora*

diaspora* is a distributed social networking server that lets users join a federated network of independently operated pods. Participants can create accounts on any public pod or host their own, and the platform connects them to the broader diaspora* community worldwide. The system emphasizes decentralization, allowing data to reside on chosen servers rather than a single corporate entity.

The software offers privacy‑focused controls such as “aspects,” which let users group contacts and restrict visibility of posts to specific audiences. Standard social features include hashtags, @mentions, resharing, and liking, enabling users to follow topics, interact with others, and curate their online presence without mandating real‑world identity disclosure.

Licensed under AGPL‑3.0, diaspora* is free, open‑source, and self‑hostable, with a stable release that supports community contributions and administrative customization. It targets individuals and groups who want a social platform that respects data ownership, freedom, and privacy.