> I don't understand why they succumbed to the idea ATProto must handle private
The answer is very simple, the people demand it.
Technically, or if you squint the right way, it is a new protocol (atp://) that shares some parts with the public side. Notably the relay is out (for now?) and the data lives in a different sqlite table (iirc/aiui).
Yeah, running a social website where you can't write anything in private to just your friends is not very based.
Like this one?
Are you saying you are here to make friends on this thing?
HN is an exception to this rule imo, and remains our diamond in the rough