Truth Social Violated Open Source License? Here’s the Controversy Behind Its Launch
Built on Mastodon, Truth Social sparked global backlash after violating the AGPLv3 license. Here’s a breakdown of the open-source scandal that followed.
Truth Social and the Open Source License Violation
Truth Social, the social media platform launched by Trump Media & Technology Group, faced major controversy right from its beta release in 2021. Built on Mastodon—an open-source software that powers the decentralized Fediverse—it initially ignored the obligations of the GNU AGPLv3 license. The result? A wave of criticism from the global open-source community.
Lack of Transparency Sparks Ethical Questions
Reports revealed that Truth Social had forked Mastodon’s code without attribution or releasing the source code, a clear violation of AGPLv3 terms. This license requires that any public-facing deployment must provide access to the modified source code. During its beta phase, Truth Social gave no indication it was built on Mastodon, effectively hiding its technological origins.
Strong Backlash from the Open Source Community
Mastodon’s founder, Eugen Rochko, publicly labeled the act as a legal violation. Developers and advocates in the open-source world condemned Truth Social for exploiting free software without respecting its principles. The criticism wasn’t political—it was about ethics and digital accountability.
Delayed Source Code Release with Poor Documentation
Following public pressure and negative media coverage, Truth Social eventually published a portion of its source code on GitHub. However, the release was incomplete and poorly documented. Many saw it as a box-checking exercise, not a genuine attempt at transparency.
Technical Glitches Amplify the Issue
In addition to licensing violations, Truth Social struggled with numerous technical failures: long signup queues, UI bugs, and login issues plagued early users. The platform’s infrastructure was ill-prepared for large-scale rollout, further damaging its credibility.
A Counterproductive Launch
While meant to symbolize resistance against Big Tech, Truth Social ironically stumbled by disrespecting the very principles of digital freedom. By failing to comply with AGPLv3, it undermined its message and damaged trust among technologists and developers.
True Digital Responsibility Begins with Transparency
In an era of open innovation, respecting software licenses is not just legal—it’s a sign of integrity. Truth Social’s case is a stark reminder that ethical foundations matter more than launch speed.
