Digg launches its new Reddit rival to the public

The revival of Digg, once a prominent force in the realm of online communities, is set to make waves as it enters public beta. Under the guidance of its original founder, Kevin Rose, and Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, the new Digg offers users both a website and a mobile app to explore various community feeds and engage in discussions that resonate with their interests. Originally a news aggregation platform during the Web 2.0 era, Digg was valued at $175 million back in 2008 but eventually fell behind Reddit in the competitive landscape. The platform underwent significant changes in 2012 when it was sold off to various entities, including Betaworks and The Washington Post. After relaunching in 2016 and changing ownership in 2018, Digg is now being revitalized with fresh investments and a focus on community-driven content. Rose and Ohanian are optimistic that advancements in artificial intelligence can help tackle the issues of toxicity and misinformation that plague many social media platforms today. They aim to create a space where trust is built naturally, rather than through traditional verification methods. In an interview with TechCrunch, Rose mentioned the importance of gathering “little signals of trust” instead of enforcing strict identification protocols. The new Digg will introduce innovative technologies, such as zero-knowledge proofs, to validate user identities without compromising personal data. Additionally, specific communities may require members to prove ownership of items related to their discussions, creating a more authentic environment. For example, a community dedicated to Oura ring enthusiasts could verify that all contributors actually own the device. With the launch of its beta phase, Digg opens its doors to the public, allowing users to create communities on almost any subject imaginable. Community managers will have the autonomy to establish their own guidelines, and moderation logs will be transparent to foster accountability. The platform has undergone a redesign, featuring a user-friendly sidebar for favorite communities and an enhanced feed focused on visual content. While initially, communities will have a single manager, the company plans to expand these features, enabling customization and integration with other tools. Digg’s CEO, Justin Mezzell, emphasized a commitment to continuous improvement, stating that the team will actively listen to community managers and implement their feedback. The goal is to create a supportive environment for moderators, drawing on insights from experienced Reddit moderators. Furthermore, the team is exploring the possibility of transforming their AI-driven podcast into a human-hosted format based on user feedback. With a lean team and a clear vision, Rose is excited about the potential for Digg’s resurgence. "We’re finally at a place where the foundational elements are in place, and now we can truly start to innovate," he remarked.