A new federated platform called Loops aims to recreate the short-video experience without corporate control. The open-source project positions itself as a TikTok alternative built on ActivityPub federation, letting creators share content across the fediverse while maintaining ownership of their data.

Loops offers familiar short-video features including vertical swipe feeds, creator tools, and engagement metrics, but replaces algorithmic manipulation with chronological ordering and community-driven discovery. The platform integrates with Mastodon and Pixelfed through ActivityPub, allowing videos to reach audiences across compatible apps while creators stay in control of their home server.

The project emphasizes ethical design principles including privacy protection, no dark patterns, and community governance. Built as a mobile-first experience with a minimal camera interface, Loops includes features like hashtag discovery, threaded comments, and customizable notifications. The team is developing an official mobile app alongside web browser access.