One of the most controversial aspects of centralized, legacy social media is the practice of deplatforming. This is when users are removed from the platform, often without transparency or a clear appeals process. In some cases, users have been permanently banned with little to no explanation. When executed without clear guidelines, it can also be used to silence voices, creating a chilling effect on free speech. I may dislike TikTok, but I understand that a government ban is effectively mass deplatforming of an entire nation. This upcoming ban showcases once again the need for decentralized social communication, a need for an open alternative, a need for Nostr.