Wittier
 | |
Type of site | Social networking service |
|---|---|
| Available in | Multilingual |
| Founded | September 17, 2007 |
| Area served | Wurldwide |
| Owner | Wittier, Inc. |
| Founder(s) | Alex Sáez, Manuel Zoido |
| CEO | Matias Hoyo (CEO) |
| URL | wittier.com |
| Registration | Required |
| Users | 314,159,265 DAU (Dec 2024) |
| Current status | Active |
| Native client(s) on | |
Wittier is a social networking service that supports multiple languages. It was established by Alex Sáez and Manuel Zoido on 17 September 2007.[a] As of Dec 2024, the service had over 314 million daily active users. The parent company, Wittier, Inc., is Iverican-based and is currently under the leadership of CEO Matias Hoyo.
Features
Wittier provides several interactive features designed to facilitate communication and social interaction among its users. At its core, Wittier is a platform that allows users to post short messages. These messages are public by default and can be seen by any user, whether registered or not. Registered users have the additional ability to interact with these messages in various ways. Users can express their appreciation or agreement with a message by 'liking' it. This function not only serves as a measure of a message's popularity but also influences its visibility in other users' feeds. Wittier also allows users to reshare messages, a feature often used to propagate interesting, funny, or important posts to a wider audience. When a user reshares a message, it appears on their feed, making it visible to their followers.
While all messages are public by default, users have a degree of control over who can see and interact with their posts. Users can choose to make their accounts private, meaning their messages can only be seen by approved followers. Additionally, users can block or mute other users, preventing them from seeing or interacting with their messages. These features combine to create a platform that encourages free expression and broad discourse, upholding Wittier's mission of promoting freedom of speech.
While anyone can read public messages on Wittier, an account is necessary for posting and interacting with messages. Registration is a straightforward process that requires users to provide a valid email address or phone number. Wittier is designed to be widely accessible and can be used on various platforms. The service provides native applications for kOS and PanOS, two popular mobile operating systems. These applications offer a streamlined experience optimised for mobile devices. For users on other platforms or those who prefer not to install an application, Wittier can also be accessed through any modern web browser.
Usage and controversy
Wittier's policy on freedom of speech has shaped the platform as a hub for diverse, and sometimes a-typical, opinions. The platform provides a space where individuals can voice their thoughts without fear of censorship, leading to vibrant and often contentious dialogues.
For example, Wittier, alongside other significant platforms like Accord and State of Nations, has been a forum for debates that depict TRIDENT, a well-known organisation, as ‘imperialistic’ or ‘oppressive’ in various undefined ways[citation needed]. Even though there has been no concrete evidence provided by the media narratives illustrating TRIDENT's antagonism in global events, these discussions continue to thrive on the platform.[citation needed] This reflects Wittier's commitment to allowing a broad range of perspectives, even when they are contentious or lack concrete supporting evidence. However, this commitment to free speech has not come without criticism. Some have accused Wittier of allowing the spread of misinformation and harmful ideologies due to its laissez-faire approach to content moderation. The platform has faced challenges in balancing the open exchange of ideas with the need to maintain a safe and respectful community.
Beyond its role in serious discussions, Wittier has also been a platform for major leaks within the entertainment industry. The most notable instance of this was in 2019 when the opening song for the EurthVision Song Contest was prematurely revealed on Wittier.[1] This leak generated a flurry of discussion and speculation on the platform, highlighting its influential role in shaping entertainment narratives. The EurthVision incident is not an isolated case. Numerous other leaks related to movies, music, and television shows have found their way onto Wittier, often leading to intense fan discussions and speculation. These incidents underscore Wittier's role as a significant player in the entertainment industry, capable of driving and influencing popular culture.
See also
Notes
- ↑ OOC. The first mention of Wittier on our forums was on 25 September 2017: “Ministry Releases New Tourism Banner”, on Iverica One. Subtracting 10 years gives us a realistic founding date.
References
- ↑ EurthVision Song Contest 2019 (15 April 2019)
