Mark Cuban Eyes TikTok Alternative with Bluesky’s AT Protocol

Mark Cuban, the renowned entrepreneur and investor, is setting his sights on developing a TikTok alternative using the innovative AT Protocol, the technology powering the social network Bluesky. In light of the recent surge in Bluesky signups following the U.S. presidential elections, Cuban aims to expand the open social web and intensify competition against Elon Musk’s X platform. With over 27.6 million users now on Bluesky, Cuban is keen on supporting projects that leverage the AT Protocol to address current social media challenges.

Bluesky has emerged as a notable player in the social media landscape, partly due to its use of the AT Protocol. This protocol is designed to tackle the limitations of existing decentralized protocols like ActivityPub, which powers platforms such as Mastodon. The recent growth in Bluesky's user base highlights a burgeoning demand for open social apps, especially amid political events like the U.S. presidential elections.

Cuban, known for his outspoken criticism of Elon Musk's content moderation strategies, sees this as an opportunity to foster competition. He has expressed his willingness to invest in a TikTok replacement built on the AT Protocol. The looming U.S. TikTok ban, set to be enacted unless halted by the Supreme Court, has prompted users to explore other video platforms like RedNote. Cuban's initiative could offer a new avenue for those affected by this ban.

“I would be open to investing in supporting anybody — or somebody who creates a TikTok replacement built on the AT Protocol. So if you’ve got that ability, let me know in the comments. If you create an MVP — a minimum viable product — so I can see it, that’s all the better, because obviously, I think you’d have a whole lot of support,” – Mark Cuban

The AT Protocol's flagship application, Bluesky, showcases its potential to support diverse services beyond traditional social networking. Cuban's call for developers to propose solutions aligns with this vision, inviting creators to comment on a TikTok post with their ideas. By encouraging the development of a minimum viable product (MVP), Cuban aims to catalyze innovation and provide substantial backing for promising projects.