The Necessity of an Open Social Graph Structure for Web3

November 22nd, 2023

Web3 emerges as a harbinger of a revolutionary transformation in digital ownership. At its core, Web3 adopts decentralized applications and blockchain technology, providing users with unprecedented control over their digital assets and data. This control breaks the chains of centralized authority and promises a new era of digital freedom. However, within this transformation lies a critical element that needs careful consideration: the structure of the open social graph.

In this article, we explore the vital importance of the open social graph in the Web3 ecosystem and delve deeply into the potential of redefining digital ownership.

Web3 and Its Decentralized Nature

Web3 is not just a technological evolution; it represents a fundamental shift in how we interact with the digital world. Essentially, Web3 is a decentralized ecosystem that empowers users to control their digital assets and data, distributing this data across a computer network instead of centralized servers, thus enhancing security and privacy.

One of the significant advantages of Web3 is its resistance to censorship. While traditional internet platforms can be controlled and manipulated by central authorities, Web3 applications operate on decentralized networks, making it difficult for any single entity to exert control. This results in significant implications for freedom of expression and the ability to express ourselves without censorship concerns.

The social graph is a fundamental concept in the Web3 ecosystem, digitally representing the connections and relationships among users. In the context of Web3, the social graph is designed to be open and under user control. Unlike traditional social media platforms that own and control users' social graphs, Web3 social graphs are decentralized structures owned by users.

One of the main advantages of the open social graph is data ownership. In Web3, users own their social graph data and decide how it will be used and shared. This contrasts sharply with traditional platforms that market data without user consent. Users can choose to share their social graph data with specific applications or individuals, enhancing privacy and control.

On the other hand, an open social graph facilitates interaction between different applications and platforms. Users can use their social graph data across various Web3 applications, promoting more innovation and diversity while also helping to prevent censorship. Traditional internet platforms have the power to regulate content and users, increasing the risk of censorship. However, an open social graph is more resistant to censorship attempts by central authorities, as users can access all their data, content history, and social networks through another application using the same open social graph.

Within the Web3 ecosystem, various protocols and projects are actively working to implement open social graph structures. These innovative solutions use blockchain technology to create user-controlled and decentralized social graphs.

A key project in this area is "Lens Protocol". Lens Protocol provides a framework for creating decentralized social applications that prioritize user privacy and control. It allows developers to create applications without compromising data ownership on the user's social graph. Lens Protocol uses cryptographic techniques to enable users to interact seamlessly with different Web3 applications while protecting their social connections and data.

Lens Protocol demonstrates its innovative approaches with the recent v2 upgrade, focusing on user ownership, privacy, and control, and working in harmony with Web3's fundamental principles. Additionally, Lens is making significant improvements in harmonizing this compatibility with the user experience familiar with Web2 applications.

Our thesis with Kaira has always been towards providing content creators with financial freedom. The combination of the creative economy and DeFi within the Web3 ecosystem opens up how creators can directly monetize their content and assets. As Kaira, we aim to stand out in this combination with the economic model we developed for creators.

Content creators earn $KAIRA token rewards within a sustainable economic model for the engagement captured by their content. This and similar financial economic models are fundamentally motivated to reward and incentivize the economic and cultural value created by users on the Kaira platform. Thus, users can be rewarded for their content while using the power of the Lens Protocol as their social graph, and embark on a journey of gaining additional advantages in potential partner projects (DeFi apps, DEXs, NFT marketplaces, etc.).

Our use of the social graph provided by Lens Protocol is just one of the potential use cases. Pandora's box is just opening, and with Lens v2, we will see many different innovative projects on the Lens Protocol.

Conclusion

The rise of Web3 heralds a fundamental change in digital ownership, and the success of this transformation indisputably requires an open social graph structure. By actively contributing to the development of this open structure, users can promote both an emancipatory and secure environment, obtaining a personalized and meaningful social media experience. An open social graph equips users with significant advantages in data control, privacy, security, and resistance to censorship.

Ultimately, we are rapidly moving towards a future where users' social and financial data converge. If this future is built on a decentralized, open social graph, we can face a positive landscape filled with endless opportunities and possibilities, rather than a dystopia.