The short-form video app Skylight has surpassed 380,000 users, experiencing a massive growth spike following finalized changes in TikTok’s U.S. ownership and recent technical instability. As users grow increasingly wary of TikTok’s shifting privacy policies and corporate structure, the open-source alternative is rapidly capturing a disillusioned audience.
Built on the AT Protocol
Launched last year with backing from investors including Mark Cuban, Skylight leverages the AT Protocol—the same underlying technology powering the decentralized social network Bluesky, which currently supports over 42 million users. This architecture allows for unique features, such as the ability to stream videos directly from Bluesky, alongside a built-in video editor, custom community feeds, and standard social interactions like liking, commenting, and sharing.
Rapid Expansion and Engagement Metrics
The platform’s growth has been explosive. CTO Reed Harmeyer reported that the app saw 1.4 million video plays in a single day, a 3x increase within 24 hours. Furthermore, new sign-ups surged by more than 150%, while returning users increased by 50%. With over 150,000 videos already uploaded, the platform is rapidly evolving from a niche tool into a viable competitor.
The Catalyst: TikTok’s Ownership and Privacy Concerns
The migration to Skylight follows the January 22 announcement of the TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC. This entity was formed to comply with an executive order requiring TikTok’s U.S. operations to be sold to American investors, with ByteDance retaining less than 20% ownership.
User anxiety has been compounded by a controversial updated privacy policy. While specific clauses regarding GPS tracking and immigration status were present previously, their resurfacing triggered a wave of “delete TikTok” sentiment. This, combined with recent technical glitches, prompted thousands to seek refuge in decentralized platforms.
Redefining Creator Power
Despite being dwarfed by TikTok’s 200 million monthly active U.S. users, Skylight’s leadership remains focused on a decentralized philosophy. “We’ve seen what happens when one person dictates what’s pushed into people’s feeds,” said CEO Tori White. “We wanted creator and user power to be guaranteed by the technology. Not an empty promise, but an irrevocable right.”
By prioritizing open standards and customizable feeds, Skylight aims to address the growing demand for platforms that provide transparency and autonomy, moving away from the centralized algorithmic control that has defined the current social media landscape.