## Skylight Soars: The Open-Source TikTok Alternative Gaining Momentum Amid User Concerns
In the ever-evolving landscape of short-form video, a new contender is rapidly gaining traction. Skylight, an innovative platform built on open-source technology, is witnessing an explosive surge in its user base. This growth comes at a critical time, as many users express growing apprehension over recent ownership changes and privacy updates at TikTok U.S., prompting a search for more transparent and user-centric alternatives.
Launched just last year, Skylight has swiftly surpassed 380,000 users, experiencing particularly significant growth over a single weekend. Backed by prominent investors, including Mark Cuban, this burgeoning app is positioning itself as a compelling choice for those disillusioned with the traditional social media giants.
### The Rise of an Open-Source Contender
Skylight isn’t just another video app; it represents a philosophical shift in social media design. Its foundation on the AT Protocol, the same decentralized technology powering the popular X rival Bluesky (which boasts over 42 million users), underscores its commitment to an open and user-controlled ecosystem.
#### A Decentralized Foundation
At its core, Skylight’s architecture leverages the power of decentralization, promising a more robust and community-driven experience. This cutting-edge approach aims to empower users with greater control over their data and content, a stark contrast to the centralized models that often raise privacy questions.
#### A Feature-Rich Platform for Creators
Co-founded by CEO Tori White and CTO Reed Harmeyer, Skylight offers a comprehensive suite of tools designed to foster creativity and community. Users can enjoy a built-in video editor, customizable profiles, and essential social features like likes, comments, and sharing. A unique offering is the ability for community curators to craft and manage custom feeds, allowing users to discover content tailored to their specific interests from trusted sources. With over 150,000 videos already uploaded directly to the platform, and the added capability to stream content from Bluesky due to its AT Protocol integration, Skylight is quickly becoming a vibrant hub for digital expression.
#### Unprecedented Growth: A Weekend of Records
The past weekend marked a significant turning point for Skylight. Reed Harmeyer revealed a staggering increase in engagement, with 1.4 million videos played on the app in a single day — a threefold jump within 24 hours. Sign-ups skyrocketed by over 150%, demonstrating a clear influx of new users. Other remarkable statistics include a 50% increase in returning users, a 40% rise in average video plays, and a doubling of posts created. These figures paint a clear picture of a platform experiencing rapid, organic expansion.
### Unpacking TikTok’s Recent Turmoil
The dramatic surge in Skylight’s user base is directly linked to a wave of user concerns surrounding TikTok, particularly following its recent ownership restructuring and a series of ill-timed technical glitches.
#### The Shifting Ownership Landscape
On January 22, TikTok announced the formation of the TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC. This move was intended to satisfy a Trump-era executive order mandating the sale of TikTok’s U.S. operations to American investors. Consequently, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, now retains less than a 20% stake in the new entity. While the initial concerns revolved around national security, data collection on U.S. citizens, and potential algorithmic influence from China, a new layer of worry has emerged. Many users are now expressing unease about the new American investors and their perceived political allegiances.
#### Privacy Policy Controversy Ignites User Exodus
These anxieties escalated dramatically when TikTok rolled out an updated privacy policy. This revision notably included provisions for tracking users’ GPS coordinates, among other sensitive data points. Although certain clauses, such as those related to immigration status, were not new but rather in place to comply with state privacy laws, their re-emergence in the updated policy, coupled with the ownership changes, triggered widespread alarm. A collective outcry ensued, with many users actively encouraging others to delete the app.
While the exact number of TikTok users who followed through on this call remains unconfirmed, the impact on alternative platforms like Skylight is undeniable. Tori White confirmed that Skylight onboarded approximately 20,000 new users over that single weekend, pushing its monthly active users for January to around 95,000 and continuing its upward trajectory.
### Skylight’s Blueprint for a Better Social Future
Skylight’s open and customizable nature is proving to be its most compelling differentiator, resonating deeply with users seeking transparency and control.
#### Prioritizing User and Creator Empowerment
CEO Tori White attributes the platform’s burgeoning success to its fundamental design philosophy. “We’ve seen what happens when one person dictates what’s pushed into people’s feeds,” White shared with TechCrunch. “Not only does it harm a creator’s connection with their followers, but the entire health of the platform. That’s why we built Skylight Social on open standards. We wanted creator and user power to be guaranteed by the technology. Not an empty promise, but an irrevocable right.” This commitment to empowering its community stands as a powerful draw for creators and consumers alike.
#### A Growing Niche in a Giant’s Shadow
Despite its impressive growth, Skylight acknowledges the immense scale of TikTok, which boasts over 200 million monthly active users in the U.S. However, the founders firmly believe that their unique, decentralized approach carves out a significant opportunity for sustained expansion. By putting control directly into the hands of users and creators, Skylight offers a compelling vision for a more equitable and trustworthy social media experience.
As the digital landscape continues to evolve, Skylight emerges as a formidable alternative, offering a breath of fresh air for users yearning for a platform that prioritizes community, transparency, and genuine connection. Its rapid ascent signals a growing demand for social media built on principles of openness and user empowerment, promising a bright future for this innovative open-source contender.