Working based on interoperable specifications is value to users and developers. Development teams get the freedom to exchange component implementations which is beneficial to the user. Other developers can team up to replace a whole tool or app with another interoperable one, providing a second level of "freedom to exit". Its true for #activitypub and is true for our e-mail Standards and #openpgp based end-to-end encryption. Protocols are the fundamental source to provide freedom of exit.