eYou launches publicly with 50,000 users, as new data reveals 9 in 10 encounter fake news on social media

• From today, eYou is available on iOS and Android mobile devices, for all users around the world to access
• 50,000 users and counting: one fifth of users hailing from the US
• eYou has released a new survey revealing a crisis of trust in social media: 9 in 10 (89%) encounter fake news or disinformation; 63% believe social media is ‘getting worse’; 77% feel manipulated by content

Today, the European social media platform eYou that fact-checks posts in real time, has officially launched to the public. It reached 50,000 registered users during its waitlist phase.

Positioned as a European alternative to global social networks, eYou combines real-time fact-checking, transparent algorithms and user-controlled feeds with the goal of rebuilding trust in online conversations.

To coincide with its public launch, eYou conducted a survey*, which found that nine in ten (89%) encounter disinformation on social media, while more than three quarters (77%) feel manipulated by the content they see on social media and 76% believe algorithms trap them in echo chambers, highlighting growing concern over how these platforms shape public discourse. Almost two thirds (63%) believe social media quality is ‘getting worse’.

Strong demand sees 50,000 users sign up to waitlist

More than 50,000 users have signed up to eYou’s waitlist since March, signalling strong early demand for a new approach to social media. From today, the platform is available across iOS and Android, with early adopters retaining their “Early Believer” status, recognising their role as founding members of the community.

While early users are primarily based in Romania (where both cofounders are based), the United States has emerged as the second-largest market, making up 19% of the userbase, followed by Sweden, signalling strong international demand beyond Europe. Two thirds (67%) of survey respondents voiced concern that existing platforms are governed by US or Chinese laws.

New research reveals users feel manipulated, misinformed and trapped

To coincide with the launch, eYou conducted a survey of 370 respondents in 2025, while building the platform, which examined consumer trust and platform behaviour. The results highlight a growing crisis of confidence in existing platforms:

• 89% of users say they encounter fake news or disinformation on social media
• 77% report feeling manipulated by the content they see on social media
• 93% believe algorithms trap them in echo chambers by showing content they already agree with
• 85% say platforms prioritise profit maximisation over user wellbeing
• 75% say platforms prioritise addictiveness over user wellbeing
• 97% say platforms don’t prioritise truth or accuracy
• 63% believe the quality of social media is getting worse
• 67% are concerned that existing platforms are governed by US or Chinese laws
• 59% don’t believe their data is safe on the platforms they use
• 27% described themselves as ‘addicted’ to social media, with 13% spending more than 4 hours per day on social media, and 47% spending 1-2 hours per day

Respondents reported using a wide range of platforms on at least a monthly basis, with over 80% active on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and a majority also using TikTok and X. This highlights that users are increasingly active across multiple platforms.

Grégoire Vigroux, co-founder, said: “People don’t trust what they see online anymore. Social media has become an essential part of how we live and understand the world, but users feel manipulated and misinformed and our research shows that people want change. Social media is entering a new generation – one that isn’t about capturing attention at all costs, but about trust, transparency and giving control back to the user.”

A new model for social media

eYou aims to address these concerns by rethinking the foundations of social media. The platform has real-time fact-checking within the feed, transparent and editable algorithms, and users can modify their own feed settings to maintain control over the algorithm, reducing the risk of disinformation and echo chambers.

eYou was founded by two French entrepreneurs, Jasseem Allybokus and Grégoire Vigroux, who have been based in Romania for more than a decade, but the platform is open to users globally.

eYou is now available on iOS and Android mobile devices.

*The survey findings are based on a survey conducted in 2025, with 370 respondents drawn from a sample of 1,000 individuals, the majority of whom are based in Europe.

About eYou

Founded in 2026, eYou Social (eYou) is the European alternative to traditional social media platforms. Designed to restore trust online without sacrificing usability or enjoyment, eYou reimagines how digital conversations are built and governed. Born in Romania, eYou is built around data protection and integrates built-in AI-powered fact-checking technology combined with a feed architecture designed to reduce polarization and limit algorithmic echo chambers.

Committed to transparency, accountability, and user empowerment, eYou seeks to shape a sovereign and responsible European digital ecosystem. eYou is an independent, apolitical startup founded by serial entrepreneurs Jasseem Allybokus and Grégoire Vigroux.