@gorhendad_oldbuck
I believe the text file doesn't have to be respected. Same as "Do Not Track Me" isn't / doesn't work.

It's my thinkIng that knowingly or not, Mastodon is more X or for freedom and not Y (Google dominating stuff/supporting other commercial interests) or maybe it's an eventuality to choose. Either way, although individual servers can choose, I still have firm belief the reason(s) for Mastodon itself being here is part and parcel or overlaps with 'not giving them data' which can include 'fighting to deter it'... same as having Invidious (filtered) links instead of plain YouTube.com. All counts and follows similar thinking - though I can accept it may not be deeper talking - by the design is there.

I'm not sure having things pumped, sucked up, harvested is the Mastodon way or even wanted... at all. Asking many users is one thing but I believe we are looking toeards those anti- things by design AND need the software to help us prioritise (like people who dont agree but use stuff until it's made easier) and more prioritised in the flow by example (csn see have things BUT PUSH / PUMP THOSE OTHER THINGS first and feel better per toot or link. Again have both but put 1 thing before snother our side to grow (or stop their side growing).

Similar to Mastodon's existence I think this is fair to say, but thern going into the sub-categories also I think alignment is important / critical. The same as not pushing bad links / funding opposing sides or helping adverts and link$ to those things will eventually eat you / try put you to sleep given any chance - as we see happening with freedom / destruction overall. Call it monopoly.

Seems small, even pedantic but millions of links, scrapes every day from us to them is almost everything if not privacy breaking etc.