👉 The Once Project was an ambitious initiative launched by Facebook in 2016 aimed at creating a decentralized, open-source social networking platform. Inspired by the early days of the internet and the desire to give users more control over their data, Once sought to replace Facebook's centralized model with a peer-to-peer network where users could interact without relying on a single corporate entity. The project focused on developing technologies like blockchain and decentralized storage to ensure user privacy, data ownership, and community governance. However, despite significant investment and a strong initial team, Once faced numerous challenges, including technical hurdles, funding issues, and competition from established platforms. Ultimately, the project was shut down in 2017, marking a significant setback for decentralized social media but leaving a lasting impact on discussions around data privacy and user autonomy in digital spaces.
