A new social media platform, Sez Us, has officially launched in India, aiming to foster an environment free from online toxicity. The platform distinguishes itself with an algorithm-free approach, prioritizing genuine human connection and user-driven moderation to cultivate more civil and meaningful conversations. Sez Us has implemented mandatory mobile verification to combat misinformation and reduce bot activity, a significant step given India's prominent position in the global landscape of misinformation, as highlighted by the World Economic Forum's 2024 Global Risks Report.
Akshay Gupta, Chief Operating Officer of Sez Us, articulated the platform's mission to foster healthy, civilized engagement among real people, emphasizing its unique reputation engine that empowers users to moderate discourse through post ratings. The platform is built on user data ownership and digital self-sovereignty, utilizing blockchain technology in collaboration with Project Liberty and the Frequency Network Foundation to create an open and interoperable social web. Notable public figures, including former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and California Governor Gavin Newsom, have joined the platform, signaling interest in alternative social media spaces. Sez Us, backed by investors such as General Wesley Clark and former US House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt, plans a substantial investment in India to build communities tailored to specific interest clusters, aiming to attract content creators and users who resonate with its ethos.
The World Economic Forum's 2024 Global Risk Report identified misinformation and disinformation as the highest-ranked short-term global threat, with India being particularly vulnerable. The report also noted the potential for misinformation in electoral processes to destabilize governments and polarize public discourse. Sez Us seeks to offer a counterpoint to prevailing social media models by championing civil discourse and user empowerment.