Canadian Tech Leaders Prepare to Launch Local Social Media Platform

Innovators in Canada are getting set to launch a new social media platform, dubbed Gander, in Canada this October. This platform is designed to operate in Canada to address the needs of Canadians. Five innovators got together to bring this idea to life after being frustrated by the shortcomings, such as disinformation, divisive content and trolling existing on other platforms owned by American tech companies.

Ben Waldman, the CEO and co-founder of Gander Social Inc., said frustrations about data sovereignty grew into actual fear when Trump assumed office in Washington early this year. The startup wants to ensure that Canada can control access, storage and usage of data within its borders.

Waldman explained that there is an increasing fear that Trump could issue an executive order asking American tech firms to shutdown the cloud services Canadians depend on for government and business activities. In one fell swoop, Trump would have therefore gone a long way in pushing for the annexation of Canada by taking the entire country offline.

The new platform will feature videos and written content, and users will have the ability to customize the content that gets displayed on their feed. Like another platform Bluesky, Gander was built on an open network that is decentralized, which means that the platform isn’t controlled by a single person.

To protect the data sovereignty needs of Canada and Canadians, Gander is working with ThinkOn, a Canadian cloud-service firm to establish domestic servers for the social media platform. This approach allows the platform users to switch between the local server network or have their data on the existing open networks.

The added benefit of having local cloud service facilities is that Gander will be able to implement its own moderation rules and privacy controls that adhere to Canadian laws and regulations.

Arlene Dickinson, who starred in Dragon’s Den, is a strategic advisor to the new app. She is also an investor in the project. Dickinson explains that she was attracted to invest in the project because the idea was smart and timely in light of the extent to which online spaces have deteriorated in terms of their safety for users. She added that the world didn’t need more social media platforms, but there was a need to replace some of the existing ones.

Gander’s local design is a viable business model given that the structure can be replicated to form another parallel network in any other community or country which is interested in establishing its own sovereign platform.

It remains to be seen how Gander will compete for users with the existing social media platforms from tech giants like Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ: META) both locally in Canada and internationally.

About TrillionDollarClub

TrillionDollarClub (“TDC”) is a specialized communications platform with a focus on the biggest and brightest companies covered by IBN. It is one of 75+ brands within the Dynamic Brand Portfolio @ IBN that delivers: (1) access to a vast network of wire solutions via InvestorWire to efficiently and effectively reach a myriad of target markets, demographics and diverse industries; (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ outlets; (3) enhanced press release enhancement to ensure maximum impact; (4) social media distribution via IBN to millions of social media followers; and (5) a full array of tailored corporate communications solutions. With broad reach and a seasoned team of contributing journalists and writers, TDC is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that want to reach a wide audience of investors, influencers, consumers, journalists, and the general public. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, TDC brings its clients unparalleled recognition and brand awareness.

TDC is where breaking news, insightful content and actionable information converge.

To receive SMS alerts from TrillionDollarClub, text “Trillion” to 888-902-4192 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)

For more information, please visit https://www.TrillionDollarClub.net

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the TrillionDollarClub website applicable to all content provided by TDC, wherever published or re-published: https://www.TrillionDollarClub.net/Disclaimer

TrillionDollarClub
Austin, TX
www.TrillionDollarClub.net
512.354.7000 Office
Editor@TrillionDollarClub.net

TrillionDollarClub is powered by IBN