In fairness they're still rolling out their federation.
Individuals can host their own servers with limited users (10 I think?). The Guardian seems to have launched one judging by their new account @theguadian.com launched today.
And they're using an open prptocol, with a promise to transfer it to an independent standards body in the near future. Also Jack Dorsey no longer has anything to do with it which is another good sign.
Yeah it is very annoying. It may get restored in the future but at the moment it's just another failed infrastructure project due to a lack of political will and leadership.
As a northerner I'm angry that "Northern Powerhouse Rail" still hasn't gotten anyway. The economic benefits of east/west connections in the north would benefit the whole country.