Romanian-born social platform eYou has launched publicly with 50,000 registered users and a pitch aimed squarely at one of the internet’s biggest pain points: trust. The Bucharest-based startup is positioning itself as a European alternative to mainstream networks by combining real-time fact-checking, transparent algorithms and user-controlled feeds.
The launch comes with fresh survey data that underlines why the company thinks there is room for a new model. eYou says 89% of respondents encounter fake news or disinformation on social media, while 77% feel manipulated by content and 63% believe social media is getting worse.
More than 50,000 people joined the waitlist before launch, with the United States accounting for 19% of users and Romania remaining the largest base. Sweden also emerged as an early market, suggesting the product has traction beyond its home country.
The platform is now live on iOS and Android, with early users retaining “Early Believer” status. eYou says the waitlist build-up reflects demand for a more transparent and less manipulative social media experience.
What social media users fear
The survey paints a bleak picture of the current social media landscape. eYou says 93% believe algorithms trap them in echo chambers, 85% think platforms prioritize profit over wellbeing and 59% do not trust their data to be safe.
The platform is built around the opposite approach, with editable algorithms, feed controls and built-in AI fact-checking. Co-founder Grégoire Vigroux said users want a network where trust, not attention capture, is the main product.
eYou was founded by Jasseem Allybokus and Grégoire Vigroux, two French entrepreneurs based in Romania for more than a decade. The company is presenting itself as a sovereign European digital option in a market increasingly shaped by U.S. and Chinese platforms.
