I just received this email, titled “Your recent Mastodon post” from @dpk on behalf of the Codeberg “Presidium”:

***
Dear Aral Balkan

In your Mastodon post at <mastodon.ar.al/@aral/117041803…> you publically criticized a repository that was hosted on Codeberg, despite linking to an issue thread in which it was made clear that the content should be reported through our usual internal channels for moderation. The repository in question was reviewed by the moderation team and removed. We understand that you suffered reputational damage as a result of this repository’s content, but this does not justify damaging the reputation of Codeberg e.V. in turn. The moderation team is still a volunteer operation and sometimes it takes a few hours for someone to be available to deal with reports or to ensure that consensus exists.

We therefore warn you not to make posts of this kind that could damage the association’s reputation in future. Acting against the interests of the association can be grounds for exclusion from the membership (§5 (5) of the by-laws). If you have issues with content posted on our site in future, please report it to our moderation team at abuse@codeberg.org. In general, reports sent to that email address will usually receive a reply describing what action was taken once the moderation team has considered how to deal with the reported content.

Kind regards
Presidium
***

So, I have a problem with this.

My post in no way damaged the reputation of Codeberg. It publicly asked them to do something about it and to state, publicly, where they stand on an issue. An issue, may I add, that has to do with real people facing actual genocide as we speak. Not to mention I thanked them for making the right decision (mastodon.ar.al/@aral/117043586…). If anything, until this email, it made the organisation look better. Unless, of course, opposing certain genocides is something that damages reputations in Germany.

I do not agree with the public issue being closed either. An issue was reported and the response was not “oh, this is serious, we’ll look into it”. It was, rather, “you reported it wrong. Report the same thing at this other place instead.”

And that other place is an entirely opaque internal system where no one gets to see what decision-making process is employed.

This is not the transparency that should exist in a member-run organisation.

So at the end of the day, I am the one being threatened with being removed from membership while the person who is actively trying to harm genocide victims (codeberg.org/Linux-Is-Best/) is still welcome on Codeberg?

This is a very insidious form of bothsidesism and, I can only imagine, is to ensure that I keep quiet in the future and to create a chilling effect where we cannot discuss certain things publicly for fear of reprisals.

Well, that won’t be happening.

I am sick and tired of people who cannot provide a proportional response when asked to choose between people harming genocide victims on the one hand and those trying to protect them on the other.

If this means I cannot be a member of Codeberg, so be it.

Let me know if I’m not welcome there and I will leave.

And you can show the world that Linux-Is-Best is welcome and I am not. If that’s who you are.

#codeberg #israel #germany #zionism #genocide #ethnicCleansing #apartheid #settlerColonialism #fediverse #mastodon #transparency #ethics #morals

Linux-Is-Best

Describe myself? Why? Who I believe I am is irrelevant to who you're going to believe me to be.

^Codeberg.org

Aral Balkan

2026-08-05 07:49:52

RE: mastodon.ar.al/@aral/117036096…

Dear @Codeberg,

According to the anonymous Linux-Is-Best account, I am a scammer and Gaza Verified (gaza-verified.org), which I made and help run, is a scam, and every person from Gaza we verified using video calls – all 303 of them, by last count¹ – is also a scammer.

(Please see: codeberg.org/Codeberg/Communit…)

This presents a problem because I am also a part of the Codeberg organisation as an active member with voting rights.

And the Gaza Verified source code is hosted on Codeberg:
codeberg.org/small-web/gaza-ve…

(We’re clearly a very transparent scam operation that believes in FOSS, etc.)

So, if Linux-Is-Best is right, you are harbouring a known scammer in your organisation. Furthermore, by allowing the source code of the scam on your site, you could be held liable if you know of the scam but do nothing about it.

So, please:

1. Either remove me as an active member (and give me notice so I can cancel my direct debit and have time to migrate my account and projects elsewhere), or

2. Take down the libellous claims by this anonymous troll who is causing real harm to people facing genocide in Gaza (and who is thus, himself, complicit in genocide).

So I’m either a scammer and I should not be allowed to be part of the Codeberg organisation or the anonymous Linux-Is-Best is a libellous, genocide-complicit troll and should not be welcome at Codeberg. Because both of these cannot be true at the same time.

I’ll leave it to you to decide who you would rather want associated with Codeberg.

It shouldn’t be a very difficult decision to make.

¹ gaza-verified.org/people/

#Gaza #GazaVerified #genocide #libel #LinuxIsBest #fediverse #mastodon #Codeberg

♲ @aral@mastodon.ar.al:

Dear @Codeberg,
As an active member, I’d like to know what action will be taken against LinuxIsBest – the person mentioned below – and his account.

He is using Codeberg to spread Zionist lies about Gaza Verified (gaza-verified.org) and attempting to get people to mass block verified accounts of people on the fediverse facing genocide in Gaza at the hands of Israel.

As an anti-fascist organisation, I can only assume this goes against what we hold to be acceptable behaviour on our platform.

Thank you.

#genocide #Israel #zionism #hasbara #Gaza #GazaVerified #codeberg @katzenberger tldr.nettime.org/@katzenberger…

Racism and defamation / ToU violation / Misuse of Codeberg as a file hosting site

### Comment The project "[Linux-Is-Best / Personal-Fediverse-List](https://codeberg.org/Linux-Is-Best/Personal-Fediverse-List)" is harboring, despite the word "personal" in its title, an account blocking list `BLOCK_gaza_verified_scam.

^Codeberg.org

RE: mastodon.ar.al/@aral/117036096…

Dear @Codeberg,

According to the anonymous Linux-Is-Best account, I am a scammer and Gaza Verified (gaza-verified.org), which I made and help run, is a scam, and every person from Gaza we verified using video calls – all 303 of them, by last count¹ – is also a scammer.

(Please see: codeberg.org/Codeberg/Communit…)

This presents a problem because I am also a part of the Codeberg organisation as an active member with voting rights.

And the Gaza Verified source code is hosted on Codeberg:
codeberg.org/small-web/gaza-ve…

(We’re clearly a very transparent scam operation that believes in FOSS, etc.)

So, if Linux-Is-Best is right, you are harbouring a known scammer in your organisation. Furthermore, by allowing the source code of the scam on your site, you could be held liable if you know of the scam but do nothing about it.

So, please:

1. Either remove me as an active member (and give me notice so I can cancel my direct debit and have time to migrate my account and projects elsewhere), or

2. Take down the libellous claims by this anonymous troll who is causing real harm to people facing genocide in Gaza (and who is thus, himself, complicit in genocide).

So I’m either a scammer and I should not be allowed to be part of the Codeberg organisation or the anonymous Linux-Is-Best is a libellous, genocide-complicit troll and should not be welcome at Codeberg. Because both of these cannot be true at the same time.

I’ll leave it to you to decide who you would rather want associated with Codeberg.

It shouldn’t be a very difficult decision to make.

¹ gaza-verified.org/people/

#Gaza #GazaVerified #genocide #libel #LinuxIsBest #fediverse #mastodon #Codeberg

Racism and defamation / ToU violation / Misuse of Codeberg as a file hosting site

### Comment The project "[Linux-Is-Best / Personal-Fediverse-List](https://codeberg.org/Linux-Is-Best/Personal-Fediverse-List)" is harboring, despite the word "personal" in its title, an account blocking list `BLOCK_gaza_verified_scam.

^Codeberg.org

Aral Balkan

2026-08-04 07:38:28

Dear @Codeberg,

As an active member, I’d like to know what action will be taken against LinuxIsBest – the person mentioned below – and his account.

He is using Codeberg to spread Zionist lies about Gaza Verified (gaza-verified.org) and attempting to get people to mass block verified accounts of people on the fediverse facing genocide in Gaza at the hands of Israel.

As an anti-fascist organisation, I can only assume this goes against what we hold to be acceptable behaviour on our platform.

Thank you.

#genocide #Israel #zionism #hasbara #Gaza #GazaVerified #codeberg @katzenberger tldr.nettime.org/@katzenberger…

Gaza Verified

We’ve personally had video conversations on Signal with the people from Gaza whose Mastodon accounts on the fediverse are listed here and we verify that their accounts are genuine. – Joy & Aral Balkan

^{gaza-verified.org}

RE: social.coop/@cwebber/116841848…

How can fedi help fight bad internet bills? (1/N)

If you haven't read Christine's "What happened to the fight for the internet?" (linked in the quoted post), you really should. You can see some of my initial thoughts about Christine's excellent post in the replies, including an observation that people on decentralized social networks can potentially play a big role in pushing back on bad internet bills, but to date haven't had a lot of impact.

So let's make things concrete. What can fedi do to push back on KOSA and age verification bills that the US Senate is just about to vote on, C-34 in Canada, the social media ban in France, upcoming C. hat Control 2.0 in the EU, or whatever bad internet bills are in place wherever you are?

#fediverse @general

Christine Lemmer-Webber

2026-07-01 00:18:42

What happened to the fight for the internet? dustycloud.org/blog/what-happe…

A new blogpost from me. I believe the fight for keeping the internet free is more important than ever but also under more threats than ever.

And the irony is, centralization is partly to blame: people don't feel like the internet is theirs anymore.

But we can't leave it there.

We HAVE to act.

For our sake, for our kids' sake, for ourselves, for the future.

What happened to the fight for the Internet? -- Dustycloud Brainstorms

^{dustycloud.org}

The Button is back for Season 4!

You can sign up now at thebutton.social to earn a few bonuses before the new season begins.

What is The Button?

At first glance, it's simple: there's just one button.

Pressing it is easy.

Knowing when to press it? That's where things get interesting.

Every season introduces a new theme, new mechanics, and new ways for the community to influence the game. Whether you're racing to the top of the leaderboard, collecting achievements, or trying to outsmart everyone else... every press matters.

Season 4 brings a brand new theme, fresh content, and plenty of surprises that will be revealed once the game goes live. If you've played before, you'll find new mechanics to explore. If you're new, there's never been a better time to jump in.

Sign up today to claim your pre-season bonuses and be ready when the button returns!

PS - you can even claim your referral code before the game goes live. Share this around and anyone that signs up with it will earn you a bonus button press too!

Why?

I like weird internet games ok?!

I love the community built up on the fediverse (after all I do host an instance!) and wanted to give back with community games to bring people together :)

Want an update on the Weekend at Bernie’s clown show that is W Social? No? Me neither, but here we are…

So before we start, let’s recount the whole dystopian raison d’être of these Davosian clowns: to be a EU®opean “alternative to X” that ­– cue the 1984 theme tune – verifies your identity to ensure that only “real people” are on it (real is what your government says it is).

Now, let’s fast forward to last week, when TikTok set up an account on W Social.

That’s nice, isn’t it? One surveillance capitalist lending their support to another? Kumbaya and all that. The only problem? (spoiler alert), it wasn’t TikTok. (Shocking, I know.)

The account, Identity Verified™ by EU X – sorry, W Social, was a spam account and immediately labelled as such by BlueSky moderators. (Don’t you love a “decentralised” system where a post on an EU server, accessed from another EU server, is moderated by our benevolent Big Brother in Trumpland, by the way? I know it just warms the cockles of my heart. So much sovereignty! But I digress…)

So @_elena calls them out (someone has to while @EUCommission is busy preparing for their honeymoon after expressing their undying devotion to W Social recently on every social platform¹):

mu.social/profile/elenarossini…

Anna Zeiter – W CEO, Stanford’s own, and ex-eBay executive (such sovereignty) – replies with this absolute zinger:

> “We are just verifying if some [sic] is a human and at least 18 years old. Users are then free to choose their own user name. This (human) user apparently chose the name TikTok.“ (mu.social/profile/anna.wsocial…)

Read that as many times as you like until it really sinks in.

These incompetent clowns (dangerous competent clowns but incompetent clowns nevertheless) make people go through a ridiculous 13-step identity verification stage² and then… umm… you get to choose whatever identity you want.

🤡🤡🤡

Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad they’re incompetent. It would be worse if they were competent, given they’re a closed-source venture-capital-funded startup determined to prove your identity.

> “Yes we have a business model, it’s not a philanthropy, we are not a B corp, we actually want to make money.” – Anna Zeiter³

But, what I want to know is this: Why has @EUCommission embraced a proprietary, closed-source, corporate ghost town with 14,300 accounts, 90% of which have not posted even once (in other words, with only 1,259 accounts that have ever posted)⁴ when there is a thriving non-corporate fediverse with millions of active people on it.

Could it have anything to do with identity verification, surveillance, and control?

And if so, why can’t they even get that right?

Looking forward to seeing how long @EUCommission can drag the corpse of W Social around before people realise it’s dead.

Oh, and how does this make the whole “European alternatives” thing look? Not good. Not because there aren’t excellent European alternatives but because the folks at the commission are either too clueless or too corrupt to recognise and support them.

So, yeah, how’s your Monday going?

¹ e.g., mastodon.ar.al/@aral/116770333…, etc.

² aseachange.com/@elena/statuses…

³ blog.elenarossini.com/the-unto… (from the YouTube video that they since deleted. Nice transparency there, clowns.)

⁴ Run this script in Node 18+ to reproduce the numbers from their PDS yourself: codeberg.org/aral/gists/src/br… Also see blog.elenarossini.com/w-social… and blog.elenarossini.com/w-social…

#WSocial #EU #sovereignty #socialMedia #socialNetworking #mastodon #fediverse #activityPub #ATProto #startups #EUCommission

W Social, Fictional Metrics and the Beauty of Open Data

W Social's tagline is "Trust Your Feed" but the company's landing page displays inflated engagement metrics - a misrepresentation that contradicts its own promise.

^{Elena Rossini}

Aral Balkan

2026-06-18 09:11:20

Needless to say, do not sign up for W or give them your ID information no matter how simple they eventually manage to make it.

You simply don’t need to.

You’re already in a far superior – non-corporate, federated – space.

Do not sign up for W. And warn your friends.

The only time you have any power to stop this is now. If they succeed in gaining network effects, you will be as powerless to stop them as you are with X.

And yes, they’re just another venture capital funded surveillance capitalist, people farmer, and burgeoning Nazi Bar. They just happen to be based in the EU. (As Nazi Bars traditionally have been.)

#WSocial #NoWNoX #surveillance #capitalism #BigTech #VC @_elena mastodon.social/@_elena/116770…