Wikipedia founder launches WikiTribune Social as an alternative to Facebook
Jimmy Wales, the founder of Wikipedia, has announced that WikiTribune is transforming into a social network called WT:Social.
Announced via a WikiTribune news article, the primary impetus around the decision to create WT:Social is the rise of "fake news" and other advertising-funded low quality media that plagues the most popular social networks (such as Facebook) that are also primarily supported by advertising.
The idea behind WT:Social is that funding comes completely from voluntary individual donations. If this sounds familiar, it's because its sister site, Wikipedia, is also funded exclusively by donations and independent contributions. As there is no advertising or paywall, WT:Social's aim is to be fully independent from algorithms designed to keep you addicted to your news or social feeds in order to be exposed to more advertisements.
In order to popularize WT:Social in the age of big social media network dominance, the development team is using a "circle of friends" invitation scheme that allows users to invite their friends, families, and coworkers with unique invitation links that automatically get added to your friends list.
WT:Social is now allowing sign ups for their waitlist at wt.social, with instant access given to those that donate or invite their friends, family, and coworkers.
Further coverage: WikiTribune announcement The Next Web
Related news
WT Social on AlternativeTo
- Free • Proprietary
- Online
WT Social (formerly WikiTribune) is a privacy-focused and ad-free social network that places a special emphasis on evidence-based journalism. The platform survives on the generosity of individual donors to ensure privacy is protected and social space is ad-free.