PeerTube is an open-source platform for sharing videos that offers an alternative to large commercial platforms like YouTube.
Instead of all videos being stored on a single central server, PeerTube works through a network of different, independent servers, also called 'instances'. These servers are connected via the ActivityPub protocol, which allows videos from one server to be viewed on another.
The idea behind PeerTube is decentralization and independence. This means users can choose which server to host their content on, who can access their videos, and how ads or tracking are handled, or not handled at all. PeerTube focuses on privacy, freedom of expression, and avoiding commercial pressure, making it especially popular among communities that value open source and control over their own data.