this post was submitted on 22 Jan 2026
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153
Bye, X: Europeans are launching their own social media platform, W (cybernews.com)
submitted 3 days ago by bossito@lemmy.world to c/technology@lemmy.world
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[–] EightBitBlood@lemmy.world 9 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (3 children)

Oh because people did such a good job the first time?

Anything people make, no mater how good, can and has been purchased to be turned to shit and controlled by those that purchase it. In that world, which is the one we live in now, a government made and publicly used social media service is just about the only way to create a resilient and uncorruptable form of social media. Especially compared to current alternatives that are already getting corrupted.

I'm not saying what they'll make is perfect. But it's far better than any other option we currently have. Knee jerk reacting to assuming it's bad is very much the same crux billionaires used in the US to weaken the government that would otherwise regulate them.

A government is literally the best suited to creating this tech due to its public utility. Same with electricity, water, Emergency services, roads and more. Everyone uses them, so our taxes should go to making those things better.

This is a step in the right direction.

[–] brooke592@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Anything people make, no mater how good, can and has been purchased to be turned to shit and controlled by those that purchase it.

GPL would like to have a word with you.

[–] EightBitBlood@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago

Free software can't be "purchased," so it can't be turned to shit 👍 Good point.

To clarify mine where needed: the purchasing of what people make is what eventually turns it to shit. (Not just that it's made, apologies if that was confusing.)

So I completely agree GPL is fantastic and the way forward for us a civilization.

Seriously appreciate this point as a great example of what DOES work well for both creators and community.

[–] SnoringEarthworm@sh.itjust.works 6 points 2 days ago (1 children)

it's far better than any other option we currently have.

We have the Fediverse. Brother, you're literally on it right now.

[–] EightBitBlood@lemmy.world 4 points 2 days ago

Well said. I am certainly here for a reason :)

[–] 73ms@sopuli.xyz 4 points 2 days ago (1 children)

This isn't actually a government doing it. It's just some VC backed company that went to Davos to announce it.

[–] EightBitBlood@lemmy.world 1 points 2 days ago

Fair point. But I think you're burying the promising parts of this article:

W’s data will be hosted decentrally in Europe by European companies, and the platform will adhere to strict EU data protection laws.

“We believe there is an urgent need for a new social media platform built, governed and hosted in Europe. With human verification, free speech and data privacy at its core,” she wrote.

In her LinkedIn post announcing the launch of W, Zeiter emphasized that systemic disinformation is eroding public trust and weakening democratic decision-making.

I've never heard an Elon say that.

And her background is solid compared to tech bros:

She earned her PhD in law at the University of Hamburg and later studied at Stanford University.

W will be legally the subsidiary of “We Don’t Have Time,” a media platform for climate action, but the team is scattered across Europe, with offices in Berlin and Paris planned, Bilanz reports.

And the whole platform is legally under a company dedicated towards climate action.

Lot of wins in this article make me think it's far from the typical VC billionaire babysitting service.