Twitter founder Jack Dorsey expresses regret for ‘damaging’ the internet

"[T]he days of usenet, irc, the web...even email (w PGP)...were amazing. centralizing discovery and identity into corporations really damaged the internet. I realize I'm partially to blame, and regret it," Dorsey tweeted Saturday afternoon.

A few hours later, Dorsey went on to say that the structure of Twitter might have been misguided from the start. The former Twitter CEO suggested prioritizing protocol over interface and mentioned how marketing has been allowed to dominate the social media platform. "Perhaps greater emphasis on protocol first and then interface would have helped. I agree there were less technology options around making money tho. It led to advertising dominating," Dorsey wrote.

"[J]ack -- it takes a big man to admit this. how about giving back to help the open web. it could really use some help," wrote software developer David Winer.

To which, Dorsey responded simply: "[W]orking on it."

At a congressional hearing on misinformation and social media, Dorsey admitted Twitter made a "total mistake" by suppressing the New York Post's bombshell story on Hunter Biden's laptop in the lead-up to the 2020 presidential election.

Dorsey's comments come at a time when social media in the national discourse has come under increasing scrutiny. Instances of misinformation in the Ukrainian conflict, privacy concerns, attempts to start new platforms, and a souring relationship with Washington officials have put Big Tech social media under fire.

Many prominent Twitter users have flocked to GETTR amid itensifying censorship efforts. Podcasting icon Joe Rogan led a mass migration to the Twitter alternative. Fox News personality Tucker Carlson, also a GETTR user, exited after refusing to delete a tweet supporting Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk and satirical site for calling Assistant Health Secretary Rachel Levine a man.

Figures like Tesla CEO Elon Musk and former President Donald Trump have stated that these mediums inadequately accommodate the needs of the American public. Musk hinted he might attempt to set up an alternative to Twitter.

"Team up with @elonmusk buy Twitter and take it private again," Human Events Daily host Jack Posobiec said to Dorsey, urging the move Saturday.