Have you heard of the recent bill proposing to ban TikTok in the U.S. due to possible Chinese government connections? How about the lawsuit alleging that Meta gave Netflix access to all their users’ Facebook messages? It’s very concerning just how much social media giants benefit from their users’ data. With privacy concerns looming around, MeWe steps in to redefine the online social experience.  

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Introduction to MeWe

MeWe isn't your average social media platform. Launched in 2016, it stands out for its unwavering commitment to user privacy. MeWe positions itself as a champion of user control within the Social Web, an evolution of the internet in which core social networking functionality is integrated within the web itself. Forget targeted advertising and opaque algorithms – MeWe prioritizes transparency and user control. Here's what MeWe offers:

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Privacy by Design: Unlike its mainstream counterparts, MeWe vows not to sell user data or bombard users with targeted ads. They prioritize user control over news feeds, ensuring a more authentic social experience.

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Community Focus: MeWe fosters a strong sense of community through a vast network of interest groups, catering to diverse interests and fostering meaningful connections.

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Familiar Functionalities: MeWe offers the core functionalities you've come to expect from social media. Users can post content, share photos and videos, connect with friends and family, send disappearing messages or private chat, and participate in group chats.

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Entering the Crypto Sphere: MeWe and Frequency

In April 2023, MeWe announced a partnership with Frequency, a layer-1 blockchain platform built on the Polkadot network. Frequency allows creators to truly own their content, data, and the communities they build as opposed to traditional Web2 platforms that control and sell user data. Recently, MeWe transitioned over 500,000 of their users to Frequency. Users can still experience the same MeWe platform as before but with added Web3 features. This is the first social media platform to transition from Web2 to Web3 at scale without major issues. 

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Now MeWe doesn’t just protect their users’ privacy, they also allow users to actually benefit from their own content. Integrating with Frequency allows content creators on MeWe to decide how their data is used and even monetize it. This partnership also benefits from Frequency being a very interoperable blockchain which opens up MeWe to better integrate with the crypto space and offer its users more opportunities. By joining forces, MeWe and Frequency users are better empowered against centralization. 

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Redefining Social Media with Blockchain

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The MeWe-Frequency integration unlocks exciting possibilities for the future of social media. Here's how blockchain can specifically empower MeWe users:

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Creating a Social Identity: Blockchain technology allows MeWe users to establish a Social Identity. This is a self-sovereign online identity designed specifically to enable people to take control of their data and online presence. People with a Social Identity are not limited by the centralized platform they’re using. Imagine being an influencer on Instagram but then suddenly getting banned from the website. You’d have to start all over to build a following on another platform. Frequency’s blockchain technology allows you to bypass all that by letting you keep your Social Identity (including all your information, relationships, following, and interests) when you use a different platform on the Social Web. Users can also choose what information from their Social Identity to share with others and revoke access whenever they want. This shift from platform-controlled identities to user-owned identities is a cornerstone of Web3 which Mewe champions. 

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Using Universal Handles: Frequency's blockchain technology paves the way for a Universal Handle for MeWe users. Think about creating different social media accounts. You’d have to create a username for Facebook, X, TikTok, and so on. Even if you manage to use the exact same username, the data from the other platforms won’t be in sync. Mewe allows you to create a Universal Handle which is like a universal username that you can use on any app on the Social Web. It is connected to your Social Identity and makes changing social media platforms seamless. Way more convenient, isn’t it? 

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MeWe and the Social Web Going Forward

MeWe's crypto embrace extends beyond just user empowerment. It opens up many possibilities for the future. Its seamless transition from Web2 to Web3 could inspire more traditional social media platforms to do the same. This would increase the number of options on the Social Web where users could leverage their Social Identity and Universal Handle. More social media options could also encourage healthy competition in the Social Web causing MeWe and other platforms to truly innovate and become better at capturing users who now have the freedom to take their social reach anywhere. Currently, MeWe is also offering an investment round for its premium user base as a way to gain capital and further improve their services. 

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By showing devotion to its users' privacy and data rights, MeWe is continuing to change the game on the social media landscape. If you’re interested in a more decentralized social media experience check out MeWe and take control of your data!

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