VALUES.md

Mastodon's Values

1. We put people first

• We are building a human-centred social web, where authentic connections matter more than metrics.
• We prioritise genuine human interactions, champion user privacy, and make decisions that benefit people rather than profits.

2. We build bridges, not walls

• We empower communities to connect, while maintaining their autonomy.
• Through decentralisation, we create pathways for diverse groups to interact on their own terms, fostering understanding across different perspectives and cultures.

3. We believe in open dialogue about our decisions, processes, and challenges

• Our code is open source, our policies are public, and our decision-making welcomes community input.
• When we make mistakes, we acknowledge them and make things right.

4. We are transparent and trustworthy

• We reject centralised control and corporate influence to create a platform that evolves according to community needs.
• Through community-driven funding and development, we demonstrate that social media can flourish without compromising its values.

5. We are part of a movement

• We are part of a diverse ecosystem working toward a better internet.
• Our strength comes from collaboration, shared knowledge, and mutual support across the decentralised web movement.