Well, it's not a Facebook replacement for the masses. It's more of the alternative in the way that Linux used to be an alternative to Windows long time ago. Linux was a nightmare for the majority, but for tech-inclined people (with a lot of spare time one might add) it offered a lot more safety and power, at the price that you had to learn how to set it up and use properly first. Same applies here. If you share data that shouldn't be shared it will not protect you, but if you know what you're doing it gives you a lot more control and safety.