European Commission backs launch of the 'W' social platform

The European Commission announced that it will join a new, Europe‑built social media platform called W. Developed by Swedish entrepreneurs and based on the open AT‑Protocol, the service entered beta this week and requires users to verify their identity through a separate W Identity app that scans a passport or national ID. Data will be stored on European servers owned by European companies, and investment is limited to entities based on the continent. High‑profile EU officials – Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President António Costa and ECB President Christine Lagarde – have already created accounts. The platform is positioned as a privacy‑focused alternative to X (formerly Twitter), emphasizing verified human users, transparency and compliance with the EU Digital Services Act, and aims to reduce reliance on US tech giants. Critics have questioned whether the service truly follows open‑source principles, but the launch aligns with a broader EU push for technological sovereignty and stricter data governance.