[mgerdts]

One idea is for public libraries to host instances. Public employees responsible for the administration are already bound by privacy laws that would make them more trustworthy than some rando that starts an instance.

If done on a branch by branch basis, this could be a good way to have an online local network. Maybe this would be an open Nextdoor as well.

Local account access could be limited by library card eligibility, which combined with terms of service could avoid abuse by far away troublemakers and limit the noise from local ones.

While eligibility may depend on having a library card, public anonymity could still exist. Just as libraries keep my borrowing history private, they could also shield my real identity.

This idea is inspired by the Twitter space I talk about at

https://fosstodon.org/@mgerdts/109294570901271083