Norway explores building domestic digital social infrastructure

Discussions are emerging regarding the development of a Norwegian digital social infrastructure to serve as an alternative to global platforms like Facebook. The goal is to create a digital public sphere built on open protocols that function as essential infrastructure, similar to roads or railways.

While there are debates over whether established media houses should operate these services due to moderation risks and reputational concerns, proponents suggest that Norwegian media companies could collaborate on shared infrastructure. This approach would mirror existing models like BankID or the shared ownership of terrestrial broadcasting networks. Under EU regulations, interoperability will be required for major messaging services, potentially allowing different platforms to communicate across shared digital pipes.