EULaunches Alternative Social Media Platform ‘W’ Amid Big Tech Concerns

The European Commission announced on Wednesday that it was joining a new, Europe-based alternative social media platform called “W.”

The platform, first announced at the World Economic Forum in January, emphasizes verified human users, transparency, privacy, and free speech. Based in Sweden, W was developed by entrepreneur teams in media, technology, and AI, with its beta version launching this week. Access requires vetting by the “W” team before posting.

Top EU officials, including Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa, are active on the platform. Verification processes involve sharing real names or using W Identity, an app that scans passports or national IDs directly on devices.

CEO Anna Zeiter stated data will be stored on European servers managed by European companies, with investments limited to continental entities. The platform partners with Proton (encrypted email) and UpCloud (Finnish cloud services) to comply with EU privacy regulations.

W’s launch aligns with Europe’s growing movement toward tech sovereignty, aiming to reduce reliance on U.S.-based Big Tech. Countries like France, Germany, and the Netherlands have raised data and security concerns about dependency on foreign platforms.

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