European-Owned Social Media Platforms: A Quick Overview

While most major social media platforms are based in the U.S., Europe has its own alternatives that focus on privacy, decentralization, and user control. Here are some notable European-owned platforms:

Decentralized and Open Platforms:

1. Mastodon 🇩🇪 (Germany) – A decentralized, open-source microblogging network similar to X (Twitter), where users join independent servers.
2. Pixelfed 🇨🇦/🇩🇪 (Canada/Germany) – A privacy-focused, federated photo-sharing platform, an alternative to Instagram.
3. Peertube 🇫🇷 (France) – A decentralized video-sharing network designed as an alternative to YouTube.
4. Friendica 🇩🇪 (Germany) – Open-source social network with Facebook-like features.
5. Hubzilla 🇩🇪 (Germany) – Decentralized platform with social and website functionalities.

Business and Professional Networks:

1. XING 🇩🇪 (Germany) – A professional networking platform, widely used in German-speaking countries, competing with LinkedIn.
2. Viadeo 🇫🇷 (France) – French alternative to LinkedIn.
3. Workplace by Meta 🇬🇧 (UK, owned by Meta) – Social platform for businesses.

General Social Networks:

1. Vero 🇬🇧 (UK) – An ad-free, algorithm-free social platform for content sharing, similar to Instagram and Facebook.
2. Diaspora 🇩🇪 (Germany) – A decentralized, privacy-friendly social network with a structure similar to Facebook.
3. MeWe 🇳🇱 (Netherlands, previously USA) – Privacy-focused alternative to Facebook.
4. Minds 🇬🇧 (UK) – Open-source social network with crypto integration.

Media and Video Content:

1. Odysee 🇫🇷 (France, formerly USA) – Blockchain-based video platform, alternative to YouTube.
2. Dailymotion 🇫🇷 (France) – A video-sharing platform and competitor to YouTube, offering both user-generated and professional content.
3. Wikidot 🇵🇱 (Poland) – Social platform for knowledge sharing and discussion.

Specialized Networks:

1. Jodel 🇩🇪 (Germany) – An anonymous, hyperlocal social platform popular among students and young users.
2. Supernova 🇬🇧 (UK) – Social platform focused on charity and good causes
3. Openbook (now Okuna) 🇳🇱 (Netherlands) – Open-source social network with a focus on privacy.
4. Tsu 🇩🇪 (Germany) – Social network platform with an ad revenue model for users.
5. Fedi.Tips 🇪🇺 (EU) – Resource hub for decentralized social networks in Europe

These platforms offer different features and values—some are decentralized and open-source, while others are traditional social media platforms focusing on security and user freedom.

These platforms emphasize user autonomy, security, and reduced reliance on advertising, making them strong alternatives to mainstream U.S.-based networks.

LINKS:

Here are the official websites for the European-owned social media platforms:

1. Mastodon: https://joinmastodon.org
2. Pixelfed: https://pixelfed.org
3. PeerTube: https://joinpeertube.org
4. Friendica: https://friendi.ca
5. Hubzilla: https://hubzilla.org
6. XING: https://www.xing.com
7. Viadeo: https://viadeo.com
8. Workplace by Meta: https://www.workplace.com
9. Vero: https://www.vero.co
10. Diaspora: https://diasporafoundation.org
11. MeWe: https://mewe.com
12. Minds: https://www.minds.com
13. Odysee: https://odysee.com
14. Dailymotion: https://www.dailymotion.com
15. Wikidot: https://www.wikidot.com
16. Jodel: https://jodel.com
17. Supernova: https://supernova.com
18. Openbook (now Okuna): https://okuna.io
19. Tsu: https://tsu.social
20. Fedi.Tips: https://fedi.tips

Please note that some platforms, like Openbook (now Okuna), are still in development or have limited availability. Additionally, while MeWe was originally based in the United States, it has expanded its operations internationally, including in Europe.

For more information on decentralized social media platforms, you can visit Fediverse.Party, which offers a comprehensive guide to various federated networks.

If you're interested in exploring the Fediverse further, the Table of all Fediverse projects provides an extensive list of platforms and their descriptions.

These resources can help you discover and choose platforms that align with your preferences for privacy, community, and content.