cross-posted from: https://lemmings.world/post/21143141
TL;DR: Loops is doomed because Daniel Supernault doesn’t actually want to develop it or release the source code properly.
I’ll try to provide evidence where I can, but a lot of evidence was destroyed via bans from the Discord, so I can’t retrieve my messages, and All I have are files I saved on my hard drive and mastodon links.
How I Got Involved I got into Loops because of the TikTok ban scare and wanted to help develop a non-corporate fediverse alternative to TikTok and YouTube Shorts. I signed up, made two accounts (wasn’t sure why I couldn’t log in), and got approved after two days.
Once I had an account, I downloaded the Android APK and joined the Discord. I introduced myself as someone who wanted to help and mentioned that I had tried (and failed) to make a Fediverse app before. I was interested in seeing where Loops would go. For about 12 days, I made videos for Loops, making sure there was consistent content so the platform didn’t go 10 minutes without something new. I also helped in Discord, answering questions about account activations and discussing how Loops could become a major part of the Fediverse (which, as of 2/16/2025, it still isn’t). I thought if Loops could launch before the next TikTok scare, it had a real shot.
I Start Asking Questions After 12 days of making content and being active in Discord, I was getting bored. I wanted to figure out why there weren’t any real developments. I knew Daniel had promised on Discord that Loops would be open-source “by the weekend” (this was 12 days ago). To me, that meant publishing the source code. So, I made a video calling him out (archived here: dalek.zone/w/jUUYe11xDvjz15ZRAxQuy7) and posted it on Discord. A few minutes later, Daniel deleted the link and removed the video from Loops. His only response was, “Misinformation is not appreciated”—with no further context.
To me, this reaction was suspicious. He didn’t explain why he hadn’t released the source code. He didn’t ignore it either, which I interpreted him as being guarded.
Getting Banned from the Discord After Daniel’s reaction, I started wondering if Loops was a waste of my time. Was anything actually happening? I tried decompiling the Android APK to see what was inside but couldn’t get it to recompile. I thought about forking the Loops GitHub with the decompiled source and posting it in GitHub as a fork—but I didn’t even need to. Instead, I asked why Loops wasn’t just a PeerTube instance, since PeerTube already worked on short formed video content with a tik Tok like interface. I even made another video about it: dalek.zone/w/fVW4GbW79bBpiyLrDGJBBa. The last thing that happened before my ban was me asking if anyone was actually doing work on Loops. Instead of answering, they flipped the question back on me. I replied, “Yes, I am decompiling the source code so we can do work.” after, Discord glitched, the Loops server disappeared, and I was locked out. My Loops account was also deleted. This made it clear: Daniel didn’t want me questioning loops or suggesting that PeerTube could do the job better.
Calling Him Out on Mastodon After my ban on discord, I did more research on Daniel and kept calling him out on Mastodon as a warning to others. Eventually, he did publish a “source code” for Loops. Just to spite him, I thanked Michael Downey (mastodon.social/@Cattail/113932221184535082) for pushing him to release it by asking him a question. But two hours later, I pointed out that the APK and the published source code didn’t match: (mastodon.social/@Cattail/113932308245134257).
Conclusion I’m glad I did what I did because it saved me from wasting more time on Loops. Instead, I built a bot that announces when Fediverse streamers go live on Mastodon, which actually helps the community. Daniel is asking for money that would be better spent on PeerTube development or maintaining existing Fediverse instances. Daniel is deceiving people, pretending Loops is making progress when it’s really just a rehash of Pixelfed. His Kickstarter has no deadline and only vague updates. If you still want to support him, that’s on you. I’ve seen enough.
Links & Receipts Official “source code”: github.com/joinloops/loops-app Loops development mention from 2020: mastodon.social/@pixelfed/104618452882003745?utm_source=perplexity Kickstarter: kickstarter.com/projects/pixelfed/pixelfed-foundation-2024-real-ethical-social-networks/comments
Links & Receipts Official “source code”: GitHub Loops development mention from 2020: Mastodon Kickstarter: Pixelfed Foundation 2024
Hey heads up to anyone, but I’d highly recommend going to that other thread they made and checking the comments. They are remarkably defensive for someone who insists they are in the right. They also refuse to address such points as:
You joined the server to help out, knowing it was volunteer based.
You were frustrated after 12 days despite development of anything often being on a scale longer than it. Instead of asking questions in a conversation, you made call out videos that got people feeling defensive
You say you were making new videos for 12 days so the platform doesn’t go without content but then later you say you’re decompiling, without ever making any earlier mention to working on it in that regard? (I’m not watching your videos so if it says that in there then whatever but that should kinda be in the text)
What exactly was your plan to help? Did you ask how you could help? Did they let you know how you could? Did you do what they asked or something else?
He didn’t explain it but he didn’t ignore it? What?
You failed to produce a viable Fediverse product but are insisting that people run it the way you see fit?
You make ANOTHER call out video and question the entire nature/purpose of the project in a backhanded way that throws shade on Daniel
You complain that Dan didn’t answer your questions but when I posed questions of you, you said you didn’t have to answer them either. So is Dan’s behavior a problem or is it only okay when you do it?
They deserved everything they got. I have no idea whether Loops will be successful or not but you don’t need to know a single thing about it to recognize the fact that this person overstepped their bounds and tried to take charge/control of a project that did not want or need their “help” and found it, at best, deconstructive to the process at hand.
Oh yeah, and there’s the fact that they straight up admitted to causing problems. You call that sarcasm but I call that a confession when the evidence does indeed point to that conclusion.
Cool that I got what I deserved. I got what I wanted and I got it fast. Why are you so invested in loops anyway?
And now none of you need to go to the other thread! Perfect demonstration of defensiveness. I criticize their behavior so clearly I am on the side of Loops.
Republican ass behavior.
They were 100% in the wrong lmfao
Btw I asked why this guy cares so much about loops because he doesn’t an hour attacking me