The Game-Changing Partnership
In a move that could reshape the social networking landscape, MeWe has announced its integration with Frequency, a Polkadot parachain, during the much-anticipated Consensus 2023 event. This partnership is set to connect MeWe’s impressive 20 million users to the blockchain world, offering them unprecedented control over their data and a distinct social identity in the digital realm.
MeWe: The Privacy-Focused Alternative
Established in 2012, MeWe has positioned itself as a formidable competitor to more mainstream platforms like Facebook, primarily by promoting better privacy protections. Reports suggest their user base has ballooned to over 20 million, thanks to the rising concern over data privacy in social media. In contrast to its competitors, MeWe has no plans to sell user data — and now, with the prowess of blockchain technology, they’re set to fortify those promises.
CEO Jeffrey Edell’s Vision
During a panel discussion titled “Laying Web3’s Foundation With Decentralized Social Networks and Data Rights,” MeWe’s CEO, Jeffrey Edell, remarked, “Blockchain is like doubling down on privacy.” His insight reflects a commitment to maintaining data ownership even in the face of potential corporate acquisitions, thus ensuring that users do not lose their privacy rights.
The Technical Backbone: DSNP
The framework for this dynamic integration lies in the Decentralized Social Networking Protocol (DSNP). This protocol forms the core of the partnership and provides developers with the tools necessary to build robust social applications. As noted by Braxton Woodham, president of Amplica Labs, the initial technical contributor to Frequency, this collaboration won’t instantly solve every issue plaguing social media today, but it will lay the groundwork for future innovations.
Looking Ahead: The Road to Web3
While the integration of MeWe with Frequency is an exciting leap towards a more secure social experience, Edell emphasizes the need for a gradual transition into Web3. “We have to sort of march into that slowly and prudently but with full commitment,” he said. This careful approach will ensure that they can tackle the myriad issues that social networks currently face, including user experience and content moderation.
