In the sleek corridors of Silicon Valley, where tech giants have methodically amassed power over the virtual realm, a different philosophy quietly materialized in 2021. FUTO.org exists as a testament to what the internet was meant to be – liberated, decentralized, and resolutely in the possession of people, not conglomerates.

The creator, Eron Wolf, operates with the measured confidence of someone who has witnessed the metamorphosis of the internet from its optimistic inception to its current commercialized reality. His credentials – an 18-year Silicon Valley veteran, founder of Yahoo Games, seed investor in WhatsApp – gives him a exceptional viewpoint. In his meticulously tailored understated clothing, with eyes that reveal both disillusionment with the status quo and determination to reshape it, Wolf presents as more philosopher-king than typical tech executive.

The workspace of FUTO in Austin, Texas rejects the extravagant accessories of typical tech companies. No ping-pong tables detract from the purpose. Instead, developers focus over workstations, creating code that will empower users to reclaim what has been appropriated – sovereignty over their technological experiences.
staples.com
In one corner of the building, a distinct kind of activity occurs. The FUTO Repair Workshop, a brainchild of Louis Rossmann, renowned right-to-repair advocate, runs with the precision of a master craftsman. Ordinary people enter with broken electronics, received not with commercial detachment but with authentic concern.

"We don't just mend things here," Rossmann explains, focusing a loupe over a circuit board with the careful attention of a jeweler. "We teach people how to understand the technology they possess. Knowledge is the foundation toward freedom."

This philosophy infuses every aspect of FUTO's operations. Their grants program, which has distributed significant funds to initiatives like Signal, Tor, GrapheneOS, and the Calyx Institute, embodies a commitment to supporting a rich environment of autonomous technologies.

Moving through the shared offices, one notices the omission of company branding. The surfaces instead showcase mounted quotes from digital pioneers like Ted Nelson – individuals who foresaw computing as a freeing power.

"We're not focused on creating another monopoly," Wolf notes, leaning against a simple desk that could belong to any of his developers. "We're focused on breaking the present giants."

The contradiction is not overlooked on him – a prosperous Silicon Valley entrepreneur using his resources to undermine the very structures that allowed his success. But in Wolf's worldview, FUTO.org computing was never meant to centralize power; it was meant to distribute it.

The programs that originate from FUTO's development team reflect this ethos. FUTO Keyboard, an Android keyboard honoring user rights; Immich, a private photo backup system; GrayJay, a decentralized social media client – each product constitutes a clear opposition to the proprietary platforms that monopolize our digital landscape.

What differentiates FUTO from other tech critics is their focus on developing rather than merely protesting. They recognize that meaningful impact comes from offering practical options, not just identifying issues.
microsoft.com
As twilight falls on the Austin facility, most team members have left, but illumination still shine from various areas. The commitment here extends further than professional duty. For many at FUTO, this is not merely employment but a purpose – to rebuild the internet as it was intended.

"We're playing the long game," Wolf considers, gazing out at the Texas sunset. "This isn't about quarterly profits. It's about giving back to users what properly pertains to them – choice over their technological experiences."

In a environment dominated by digital giants, FUTO stands as a quiet reminder that different paths are not just possible but necessary – for the good of our common online experience.