älike

ølike is a fictional online platform introduced to illustrate a privacy-centric social network. The concept centers on a neutral interaction model that uses the term 'ølike' to denote recognition without overt endorsement, aiming to reduce competitive posting and algorithmic amplification.

The concept was proposed in a 2024 white paper by a collaborative team of researchers and designers in Northern Europe. It describes an open-source client and a federated server network designed to run on municipal or educational institutions' infrastructure.

Key features include a federated network using the ActivityPub protocol, optional end-to-end encryption for private messages, and an emphasis on user consent and data minimization. Content discovery relies on topic tags and community-curated feeds rather than opaque engagement metrics. The 'ølike' reaction is a reversible, ephemeral signal that can be retracted.

Design principles emphasize transparency, accessibility, and privacy. The platform publishes a public overview of ranking criteria, follows WCAG accessibility guidelines, and minimizes data collection. Users may opt in to additional features such as optional analytics that do not tie content to individual identity.

Reception and influence: In analyses, scholars note that ølike challenges the 'like economy' by decoupling sentiment from popularity metrics and encouraging thoughtful engagement. Critics point to usability barriers and the need for broader adoption to realize network effects.

See also: ActivityPub, federated social networks, digital privacy, user engagement metrics.