As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to advance, it brings both opportunities and challenges, particularly in the realm of social media. While AI has transformed how businesses engage with audiences, enabling more personalized content through advanced analytics, it also presents new risks, such as the creation of sophisticated bots and the spread of disinformation.

A study suggests that on X (formerly Twitter), fake news spreads six times faster than real content, with 70% of users unable to distinguish between real and fake news. Facebook has also grappled with the issue, deleting 6.5 billion fake accounts in 2021 and taking action against 691 million fake accounts in the fourth quarter of 2023 alone.

Beyond traditional social networks, AI-powered bots have become a pervasive problem across the internet. Research shows that over 49% of web traffic in 2023 came from bot activities, with 32% classified as malicious or "bad" bots.

In response to the challenges posed by fake social identities and AI-based bots, Web3 technologies powered by blockchain offer a promising solution for creating more secure and reliable online communities. Decentralized networks have the potential to increase user control and integrity, building a future where digital interactions are both empowering and safe.

A Sustainable and Ethical Interaction Model One platform at the forefront of this effort is Phaver, a Web3 social app designed for the permissionless and non-custodial ecosystem. Phaver combats the persistent problems of fake messages and identities by helping users cultivate their reputations within and across decentralized social networks. The platform rewards users with off-chain points for each constructive contribution, fostering a sustainable and ethical social interaction model.

Founded by Joonatan Lintala and Tomi Fyrqvist, who have worked for companies such as Google, Facebook, Goldman Sachs, and Alibaba, Phaver aims to fix the broken social ecosystem from the ground up by focusing on user ownership and interoperability through Web3 technology.

Phaver leverages the Lens Protocol created by the decentralized finance (DeFi) platform Aave, enabling users to own their social relationships and interactions through non-fungible tokens (NFTs). Lens Protocol is a decentralized social graph that allows creators to own their content as NFTs. In addition to Lens, Phaver supports other decentralized social graphs such as Farcaster, MocaID, and CyberConnect, making social connections more secure and permanent by improving user control and enabling interoperability.

A Seamless Transition to Web3 Social Interaction Phaver provides a simple introduction to its platform without requiring any crypto wallet for initial registration. Users can sign up using a traditional email or Web2 login, making it accessible to those new to Web3 technology. Once registered, users can create a Phaver profile without any blockchain knowledge. For those with an existing Lens profile, Phaver allows easy integration during the registration process.

Within the Phaver app, users have the flexibility to personalize their experience by subscribing to various interests or following other participants. If no specific selection is made, the feed will default to showing the latest popular content, allowing new users to discover exciting discussions and content.

To enhance the personalized experience further, Phaver incorporates a unique reward system called Cred. Users can connect one or more wallets and start earning Creds and points based on their activity on the platform and the eligible NFTs they own. The Cred score measures users' reputation within the platform, taking into account their contributions and interactions. Users with higher Cred scores have greater influence and trustworthiness within the community, encouraging positive engagement and discouraging malicious behavior.

Building on its innovative reward system, Phaver is also taking proactive steps to secure the platform against AI manipulations and the creation of fake content by introducing the Anima proof-of-personhood. The platform stores each user's unique privacy-safe facial print in their wallet. Participants can connect their wallets and complete a facial scan to claim a unique NFT, proving their uniqueness.

Phaver also offers advanced features, such as purchasing points or participating in gamified social experiences for more meaningful engagement. These features reward creators, and "stakeholders" can earn rewards if the promoted posts become popular.

Keeping Users Engaged Since its founding, Phaver has reached 300,000 unique app installs, 50,000 weekly active users, and $150 million in connected NFT value on Phaver Cred. Behind these numbers lies user retention ability, a critical metric for any social platform. In South Korea, for example, users spend an average of six hours a week on Phaver, underscoring the app's ability to keep users engaged.

Phaver has also formed partnerships that enhance its platform and expand its reach. Notable collaborations include Lotte Group's NFT arm in Korea and The Smurfs, both of which are exploring and expanding their Web3 footprint.

Looking ahead, Phaver plans to solidify its position in the Web3 social media space through several strategic initiatives. The platform aims to improve multi-protocol integration by adding support for additional decentralized social graphs such as CyberConnect and Farcaster. Phaver is also preparing to transform the onboarding process for new users with a Web2 background by making points available for purchase as in-app purchases, simplifying entry into the Web3 space.

Moreover, Phaver will continue to develop its proprietary trust score and expand it to cover a broader range of social metrics. The platform is also exploring the introduction of NFT-gated topics that will bring together select NFT holders for exclusive discussions and networking opportunities.

Phaver envisions a future where users can freely engage in decentralized social networks without fear of encountering AI-generated content or bots. By implementing innovations such as the Anima proof-of-personhood platform and Cred scores, the platform aims to mitigate the risks posed by AI threats and foster a more authentic and trustworthy online experience.

As Web3 technologies continue to develop, platforms like Phaver that prioritize security, authenticity, and community participation will contribute to the growth of the crypto and Web3 ecosystem, enabling more authentic and secure digital interactions.