eYou raises €300K to build a European social media platform focused on trust

European tech startup eYou has secured €300,000 in pre-seed funding to develop a new social media platform aimed at combating misinformation and fostering trust. This development signals a growing European effort to build digital alternatives that prioritize user privacy and data protection, a key tenet of the EU's digital sovereignty agenda. The platform's core differentiator is its integration of real-time fact-checking tools designed to verify the accuracy of claims made within posts, potentially reshaping how online discourse is managed. eYou's innovative approach incorporates AI-powered fact-checking directly into the user experience, providing an accuracy score and explanation for each claim within a post. This system, capable of analyzing up to 3,000 characters per post, aims to counter the rapid spread of fake news by offering users immediate verification options. Furthermore, the platform plans to implement a reputation system where users who consistently share accurate information will receive algorithmic preference, while those spreading misinformation will not be promoted. This initiative is particularly significant given concerns about the influence of large, US-based platforms on public opinion and democratic processes. By building on European privacy standards and offering a transparent, accountable alternative, eYou aims to attract users disillusioned with current social media dynamics. The platform, founded by entrepreneurs with extensive experience in the Central and Eastern European tech scene, intends to prioritize trust over engagement, potentially setting a new benchmark for social networking services.