When you post things on Instagram, Facebook, and X, this is what they look like to people who don’t use those platforms.

[stux@mstdn.social]

@aral And this is what public #Mastodon posts look like!

Even viewed from a 3rd instance it's still fully visible without account

Basically on each server with public timelines etc so tens of thousands of places

[fbinin@mastodon.fbin.in]

@aral
Agreed, but as a workaround use the alternative frontend.

[djdarren@mendeddrum.org]

@aral Tbh, I just use it as an excuse to not go any further, which usually ends up helping my blood pressure.

[bontchev@infosec.exchange]

@aral At least for Twitter, this is not true. Yeah, the page exhorts you to create an account - but it *does* show the post. At least on desktop; maybe it's different on mobile.

[knutson_brain@sfba.social]

@aral
Thank heavens.

[wuzzy@cyberplace.social]

@aral Shit like this make me wonder why this alone hasn’t lead to a giant user revolt and exodus years ago. Like, this should be completely disqualifying.
The whole point of "social media" goes out of the window if ALL posts are locked away (usually against the user’s wishes btw).

These terrible private billionaire playgrounds cannot crumble fast enough.

[patricus@gts.posix.live]

@aral malware

[sorro@woof.tech]

@bontchev @aral it doesn't show the comments though, so you can't see the full post if someone divided it into multiple subposts (the 1/3, 2/3, 3/3 thing in replies)

[cregg@gamedev.lgbt]

@bontchev @aral yeah on mobile it doesn't a lot of the time. I get around this by toggling the "view as desktop site" on my mobile browser. This also works with instagram and Facebook sometimes. But sometimes it'll still redirect you to a login page.

[philipshiomi@social.givemeadrink.com]

@bontchev @aral it seems X will allow certain accounts to be viewed without logging in, but not all.

[mycotropic@beige.party]

@patricus @aral

That's the vibe I've always gotten from FB, why would I give you information which you'll only use to monitor me? That's just dumb.

[dresstokilt@mastodon.social]

@aral perfect example of why public agencies should not be using those as their primary press release forum.

[madargon@is-a.cat]

@elettrona @aral @_elena @vicfroh and it's even worse when governments do it. Or public announcement services with important info, like natural disasters.

[l0b1@digitalcourage.social]

@aral I don't listen to some podcasts I like anymore because they only use this platforms to stay in contact with listeners. So if you can not comment without account why should you listen to it - it must be an extraordinary high quality podcast with very important content where no comment is needed at all.

[madargon@is-a.cat]

@dresstokilt @aral THIS. Why I cannot fave it more than once???

[kelson@notes.kvibber.com]

@stux @aral Unless you have JavaScript disabled.

[rich@wehavecookies.social]

@aral

I tried X again a few months ago and got a warning because I was posting about the Genocide in Gaza.
I kind of took it as a badge of honour, cos it's a horrendous place. So much racism!
I was shocked how over it was.

[jameswneal@mstdn.social]

@aral I understand where you're coming from, but since I regularly follow links and end up reading posts on X, Instagram and FB (though I might have to dismiss a popup), I know you have half a point. Sensitive content might be hidden, but I've never run in to an example. Admittedly I use this old thing called a laptop. YMMV on a smartphone.

[stux@mstdn.social]

@kelson @aral In that case there is RSS or a client like bloat I believe

[kierkegaanks@beige.party]

@aral which you could argue is a good thing