Most of us are used to social media platforms that lock us in. You post on Instagram or Twitter, and if you ever leave, your photos, followers, and history stay behind. The AT Protocol flips that: your data is yours, stored on a server you choose (your “PDS”), and you can take it with you to any app built on the protocol.
Why it’s different: Traditional social media traps your data inside one platform. With the AT Protocol, your content, connections, and history belong to you. You can switch apps without losing anything, and no single company controls your experience.
The catch: Right now, all posts are public. There’s no option for private or locked accounts yet. Direct messages (DMs) are already private, and private posts are in development. The network is also smaller than Twitter or Instagram, but it’s growing as more people discover the benefits of owning their data.
Your PDS (Personal Data Server) is where your data lives. Think of it like your email provider, but for social media. For Europeans, EuroSky is the best place to start. It’s GDPR-compliant, hosted in Europe, and gives you a handle like @yourname.eurosky.social. If you’re comfortable with tech, you can even connect a custom domain for a more personal handle.
How to Get Started
Go to eurosky.tech and sign up. You’ll get an AT Protocol handle (e.g., @yourname.eurosky.social) and full control over your data.
With your EuroSky account, you can log into any AT Protocol app. Here are a few worth trying:
- Bluesky: A Twitter-like feed where you own your posts and can move them anywhere.
- Flashes: A photo-sharing app like Instagram, but without the algorithms or ads.
- Germ Network: End-to-end encrypted messaging, tied to your AT identity. Think WhatsApp or Signal, but integrated with your social profile.
- PopFeed: A place to share and rate books, movies, games, and music, with the freedom to take your lists and reviews with you.
For a full list of apps, check out atproto.brussels.
What You Can Do Next
Start by posting on Bluesky or sharing photos on Flashes. To make it even easier, I’ve put together a Bluesky Starter Pack, a list of accounts I follow for news, tech, and interesting discussions. Once you’ve created your EuroSky account and logged into Bluesky, just click the link to instantly follow the same feeds. No need to start from scratch.
If you’re curious, give it a try. It’s free, it’s easy, and you might find it’s a refreshing change from the usual social media noise.
Sources
[1] EuroSky: GDPR-compliant AT Protocol hosting
[2] AT Protocol apps directory