Standard Change - Proposed Transfer of OptOut app to ProgCode

[stephenscapelliti]

OptOut App - Transfer under Project Lifeboat

Description

Project Leaders Alex Kotch and Walker Bragman have requested that ownership of the OptOut app, which was designed, developed, curated, and implemented by members of ProgCode, and its assets be transferred to Progressive Coders Network for management and maintenance, to afford continued public access to the project. Alex and Walker also are the founders of OptOut Media Foundation, which owns the app. The following summary is provided in accordance with Project Lifeboat Issue #225.

Project Identification and Required Considerations: OptOut app

• The project is mission-aligned.

• The project is active in the ProgCode community in Slack and Github.

• The OptOut app is accompanied by the following assets:

  • login.
  • files/data.
  • Digital Ocean account.
  • Existing repository.
  • other possible assets include domain name, user list, participating media list, social media accounts.

• OptOut utilizes the MIT license, without known restrictions.

• Optional assets will be determined as the change from public-facing to org-facing is instituted and could include:

  • New hosting.
  • Other web-related services as the OptOut development may recommend.
  • New domains.

• Costs associated with the project

  • $100.00 monthly Digital Ocean subscription, for which the current ProgCode account could be substituted.
  • possible domain name and site hosting.

• Tech stack (front end):

  • React Native

• Tech stack (back end V.2):

  • MongoDB
  • Express
  • React
  • Node.js

• Known users and associated obligation to the users:

  • App end users - no known obligations
  • Media content providers - no known obligations

• Known possible risks:

  • opponents of First Amendment rights

• Original Project Development Team:

  • Noah Williams
  • Bobbi Diamond
  • Matthew Smith
  • Reza Etezal
  • Kyle Feeley
  • Rob Watson
  • Brian Ephraim

• The transfer of the OptOut app does not require a change in team member access or authority.

• Legal structure: none.

• Current funding source: The OptOut Media Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, has been funding project expenses, such as domain name, web hosting, and contract fees to developers through grants made to the organization.

• Changes in ProgCode Staff duties:

  • Staff will monitor and evaluate the expenses and renewals for subscriptions and domains and will be responsible to notify the ProgCode community of needs and developments.
  • Staff will safekeep access codes and logins within ProgCode resources and provide access as needed by authorized team members.

• Additional notes: None.

• Staff recommendation: ProgCode staff members discussed the possibility that OptOut Media Foundation might tender the app to the ProgCode community, and they recommend that the Community approve and accept the transfer of the project to ProgCode.

Repository

• https://github.com/optoutnews

Website

• https://www.optout.news/ (note that this is not currently an asset to be transferred)

Plan

• Post this pilot initiative and notify the ProgCode community in the #team-announcements channel at least 48 hours prior to seeking community consent to implement. Suggestions and comments may be offered in the comment sections below this issue, for future reference.
• Present the issue for discussion at the 2025.02.17 Community Operations meeting, and seek consent to implement.

Decision Making

The decision making process, whether consent to continue or implement by standard change process is set forth in the Change Process linked below.

Additional Information

Reference link(s)

• Change process - Standard Change
• Project Lifeboat - Issue #225

[jpb5013]

Appreciate the details! Any insight into why the domain is not part of the transfer? Would the mobile apps be included and other associated legal structure, or would there be some level of maintained ownership from the original creators?

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[stephenscapelliti]

@jpb5013, the domain currently is being used for the Foundation's online content. More details are in the #staff channel, for security purposes.

The OptOut Media Foundation is transferring all ownership of the app and associated documentation to the ProgCode community. The Foundation will continue to operate without reliance on the app, and it will assist the ProgCode community in establishing network relationships with new media outlets and with maintaining the existing relationships.