Middleware, third-party software intermediaries between users and platforms, has been broached as a means to decentralize the power of social media platforms and enhance user agency. Middleware may enable a more user-centric and democratic approach to shaping digital experiences, offering a flexible architecture as an alternative to both centrally controlled, opaque platforms and an unmoderated, uncurated internet. The widespread adoption of open middleware has long hinged on the cooperation of established major platforms; however, the recent growth of federated platforms, such as Mastodon and Bluesky, has led to increased offerings and user awareness. In this report we consider the potential of middleware as a means of enabling greater user control over curation and moderation - two aspects of the social media experience that are often mired in controversy. We evaluate the trade-offs and negative externalities it might create, and discuss the technological, regulatory, and market dynamics that could either support or hinder its implementation.

翻译：中间件作为用户与平台之间的第三方软件中介，已被提出作为分散社交媒体平台权力、增强用户能动性的手段。中间件可能促成一种更加以用户为中心、更具民主性的数字体验塑造方式，提供一种灵活的架构，既替代中央控制、不透明的平台，也区别于无节制、无策展的互联网。开放中间件的广泛采用长期以来依赖于现有主流平台的合作；然而，近期联邦式平台（如Mastodon和Bluesky）的发展，已促使相关产品增多并提升了用户认知。在本报告中，我们探讨了中间件作为一种使用户在内容策展与审核——这两个常陷争议的社交媒体体验维度——上获得更大控制力的潜力。我们评估了它可能带来的权衡取舍与负面外部效应，并讨论了可能支持或阻碍其实现的技术、监管与市场动态。