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Research ProjectsResearch Projects

How People's Social Media returns ownership of content and data to users

The goal of this project is to provide a safe and secure platform for people to share their thoughts, photos, and videos. This is without the need for central servers or any data mining.
People's Social Media (PSM)
People's Social Media (PSM)

All user data will be stored on their own personal storage platform, such as Google Drive, so that it remains completely private and secure. The client-side app or website will be responsible for fetching the latest version of a user’s JSON feed and decoding it to create the UI feed. This will eliminate the need for any ads or tracking, and the prioritisation algorithms will be based on the best user experience rather than maximising ad revenue. This platform will ensure that users have complete control over their content and data, as well as the security of their data.

From gaps to growth: Who it
helps and how it Works

Background

Background

Social media apps such as Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, and Facebook provide different features but lack the same privacy and security as PSM.

These apps can lead to potential risks to users’ privacy and security, like excessive notifications and data collection, as well as potential malware and viruses.

Additionally, there are issues such as lack of control, cyberbullying, inappropriate content, and the spread of sensitive information without consent. These issues can be a consequence of using these social media apps.
Opportunity

Opportunity

  1. Social media is made secure and private with PSM.
  2. PSM provides users with a safe environment to connect, share content, and engage with each other.

  3. Users can store photos, videos, and written content in PSM’s secure cloud storage.

  4. You can rely on PSM for a comprehensive social media solution.

  5. PSM may be able to gain market share by providing an alternative to popular social media sites that prioritise data collection and ad revenue.
Proposed solution

Proposed solution

  1. A Unified User Experience for Secure
  2. Private Content Sharing
  3. Privacy Protection
  4. Secure features, such as end-to-end encryption and two-factor authentication.
  5. Ability to set privacy settings
  6. Easy-to-use interface and intuitive
  7. Cloud storage
  8. A client-side app or website with no central data servers.
  9. Data is stored on the user’s personal storage platform (e.g., Google Drive).
  10. Open source code for transparency and trust.
  11. Available on all major platforms (iOS, Android, web browsers).
  12. Tools and features to manage privacy settings.
Reach: Who would benefit?

Reach: Who would benefit?

This would benefit anyone who is concerned about privacy and is looking for an ad-free alternative to social media platforms. It would also be a great choice for those who want to be in control of their data and have the ability to easily back up or move it from one platform to another.

Additionally, it would be a great choice for users who want to have the freedom to customise their user experience. This is because the prioritisation algorithms would be based on the best user experience rather than serving ads.
Impact: How will life be different?

Impact: How will life be different?

Using PSM will have several positive impacts on your life. First, it will give users more control over their privacy, allowing them to choose who they share their content with and ensuring that their data is secure.

Second, it will reduce the number of ads users are exposed to, making the overall experience more enjoyable and freeing up more time for productive activities.

Lastly, it will reduce the strain on the current popular social media platforms, allowing them to focus on improving user experience and offering more innovative features.

Where we stand and what lies ahead

Context

Existing solutions

  1. Google Drive: Google Drive is a powerful cloud storage platform that can be used to store user content for PSM.
  2. Client-side App: A client-side app can be used to provide users with a customised and secure experience.
  3. Web Portal: A web portal can be used to provide users with a seamless experience across all devices.
  4. Cloud Computing Platforms: Cloud computing platforms can be used to host the PSM system, allowing it to scale in response to user demand.
  5. Database: A database can be used to store user information and content securely.
  6. Encryption: Encryption can be used to ensure that all data transferred is secure.
  7. Authentication: Authentication systems can be used to verify user identity and protect the system from unauthorised access.
  8. Security Audits: Regular security audits can be performed to ensure that the system is secure.
  9. Artificial Intelligence: AI can be used to detect malicious activity and automatically block it from entering the system.
  10. Analytics: Analytics can be used to understand user behaviour and develop better user experiences.
  11. Payment Processing: Payment processing can be used to provide users with the ability to purchase products or services.
  12. Monitoring: Monitoring can be used to keep track of system performance and ensure that it is running optimally.
Risks

How could it backfire?

  1. The initial user uptake may be low, due to the complexity of the setup process and the user’s lack of enthusiasm for the platform.
  2. If the user chooses to store their data on an unsecured personal storage platform, it could be hacked.
  3. The reliability of the platform could be compromised if the user’s personal storage platform crashes or becomes unavailable.
  4. The platform is reliant on the user’s internet connection and device, which may result in poor performance and reliability.
  5. If users are not actively using the platform, the content may become outdated and irrelevant.
  6. If the algorithms for prioritisation are not effective, the user experience could be poor.
  7. Privacy could be an issue if users are not aware of the potential for their data to be shared with others.
  8. The platform could be vulnerable to attacks by malicious actors.
  9. The platform could fail to gain a critical mass of users if it is not able to successfully compete against other social networks.
  10. The platform could be subject to legal challenges if it is found to be infringing on the rights of other networks or services.
  11. The platform could be difficult to maintain if the codebase becomes outdated or difficult to manage.
  12. If the platform is not able to monetise effectively, it could become unsustainable in the long term.
Challenges

What is probably hard?

The challenge of creating a secure and private platform with a comprehensive user experience is multifaceted. It requires finding a way to securely store user data without compromising user privacy, developing an efficient way to allow users to access and share their content, creating a platform that is both secure and ad-free, and ensuring the platform is easy to use and intuitive.

Additionally, the platform must be monetised without compromising user privacy or security, and it must stay up-to-date with emerging technologies in order to ensure compatibility with a wide range of devices and operating systems.

In addition to some differences, there are some similarities as well, including the following:

Mastodon: an open-source, decentralised platform that runs as a client-side app and supports existing cloud storage platforms. It does not contain any ads or privacy concerns and uses a custom algorithm for sorting feeds and prioritising content. Hubzilla: a free, open-source social platform that runs as a client-side app and supports existing cloud storage solutions. It does not contain any ads or privacy concerns and uses a custom algorithm for sorting feeds and prioritising content. It also allows users to control the order in which posts appear. Path: a decentralised, distributed social platform that runs as a client-side app and works with existing cloud storage solutions. It is completely free and does not contain any ads or privacy concerns. It also uses a custom algorithm for sorting feeds and prioritising content but also allows users to customise the order in which posts appear. Additionally, it includes a wide range of tools to ensure a user’s privacy, including private messaging, encrypted data storage, and more.

Rollout roadmap

How can it go big?

  1. Research and develop the client-side app/website.
  2. Design the user interface.
  3. Develop a data structure for storing content.
  4. Integrate existing personal storage platforms.
  5. Develop the prioritisation algorithms.
  6. Test and deploy the app/website.
  7. Create a marketing strategy and begin promotion.
  8. Develop additional features.
  9. Integrate APIs with existing social networks.
  10. Create a payment system for premium features.
  11. Increase the user base through targeted campaigns.
  12. Upgrade the infrastructure to cope with increased usage.
  13. Establish partnerships with other companies to increase exposure.
  14. Expand to other countries and regions.
  15. Introduce more features to stay competitive.
  16. Increase user engagement and retention.
  17. Create a rewards programme to encourage loyalty.
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