You may have recently heard discussion surrounding a new social media app that claims to be ad-free, algorithm-free, and better than Instagram and Facebook combined. This app is called Vero, and has seen thousands flocking to it over the past few days – but what is it?
Simply put, Vero is the brainchild of billionaire businessman Ayman Hariri who says he started Vero because of a personal frustration with the existing social networks. He wanted an ad-free, algorithm-free place where he could share everything, but could pick who viewed it (i.e. not have to switch between Facebook and Instagram to post for family or followers). On the app, users will be able to share photos; videos; links; movie, TV and book recommendations; and geo locations.
Speaking with CNBC.com Hariri said: “I didn't need more ways for people to contact me and I just felt like it exposes you quite a bit.
"When I did [join existing social networks], I found the options for privacy were quite limited and difficult to understand, and also when I decided to get on and connect with a few of my friends, I noticed that their behaviour online was very different than their behaviour in the real world.
"Every decision that we take, every detail we put into the app is all centred around a great user experience, and to have a social experience online that is more matching and more familiar and intuitive to their offline social interaction.
"And we felt that by excluding ads out of our business model allows us to focus on that, it allows us to look at our users as our customers, rather than advertisers," he said.
While Vero (meaning “true” in Italian) launched years ago, it’s been gaining traction recently thanks to influencers sharing screen grabs of their profiles to Instagram and announcing they’re decision to start using the site.
However, there have been some major issues with the app already. Many users are expressing concern that users will eventually have to pay a fee to use the site because of its zero-advertising policy; while others have drawn attention to Vero’s terms of service. The T&C’s appear to be of particular concern to the artists and other creatives who are moving to use the app. Part of them, for instance, gives the company the right to use the content posted there, without paying royalties, forever and anywhere.
