Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, is advocating for social media platforms to adopt cryptography and blockchain technology to enhance the transparency and verifiability of their content-ranking systems.
In a recent post on X post, Buterin claimed that X should implement zero-knowledge proofs (ZK-proofs) and blockchain to substantiate the fairness of its content reach algorithms. He expressed concerns about X’s operations, criticizing owner Elon Musk’s leadership style as detrimental:
“Elon Musk, I think you should consider that making X a global totem pole for free speech, and then turning it into a death star laser for coordinated hate sessions, is actually harmful for the cause of free speech.”
Davide Crapis, AI lead at the Ethereum Foundation, responded to Buterin’s proposal by stating, “If you want to assert that X is the platform for free speech, you should disclose your algorithm optimization goals.” He noted that “it should be understandable to users and adjustable.”
Buterin recommended a verifiable system using ZK-proofs for every algorithmic decision, with all content, likes, and retweets timestamped on a blockchain “to prevent server-side censorship or misinformation about timings.” Furthermore, he suggested that the platform should “commit to publishing the complete algorithm code with a delay of 1-2 years.”
ZK-proofs enable one to verify truths without disclosing underlying data—such as confirming age without revealing one’s full name. While Buterin didn’t elaborate on the specific proofs that would be included in his suggested framework, they would likely demonstrate compliance with particular constraints without exposing sensitive information.
Related: Sunlight is more effective than censorship
Crypto’s Influence on Social Media
Buterin’s remarks reflect the ethos of various decentralized social media platforms known as SocialFi. Although none of these platforms have achieved mainstream success, they are being seriously considered by their centralized counterparts.
In early 2025, Meta, the organization behind Facebook and Instagram, blocked links to a decentralized Instagram alternative named Pixelfed, categorizing all links as “spam” and promptly removing them. Similar actions were reportedly taken against competitors like Mastodon.
The crypto community, generally skeptical of centralized power, has expressed worries about the influence of decisions made by social media executives. Following Musk’s announcement in January about prioritizing informative content over other types, there was substantial skepticism.
Critics questioned the criteria for determining what is informative and raised concerns about potential suppression of differing viewpoints. Musk has also faced accusations of restricting access to premium features for users who oppose his views.
At that time, Buterin encouraged Musk to remain dedicated to free speech on the platform and refrain from banning users for holding differing opinions.
Related: Buterin highlights privacy issues with X’s new location feature
The Role of Social Media in Society
Research has consistently shown that social media exerts a significant influence on society and democratic processes. A study published in 2024 indicated that “using Facebook may bolster belief in misinformation.”
Recently, Reuters reported that court documents indicate that Meta halted internal studies into Facebook’s mental health impacts after uncovering causal links to user harm. The research revealed that “individuals who refrained from using Facebook for a week reported reduced feelings of depression, anxiety, loneliness, and social comparison.”
The European Union has sought to address these issues via its Digital Services Act, which mandates transparency regarding key algorithm parameters and requires platforms to evaluate and disclose potential risks linked to their operations, including “negative effects on civic discourse, electoral processes, and public safety.”
The Digital Services Act also stipulates that qualified researchers must be granted access to platform data for independent evaluations of systemic risks. X’s non-compliance with this requirement has been cited by the European Commission as one of the reasons for levying a 120 million euro ($141 million) fine earlier this month.
Other issues include a lack of transparency concerning X’s advertising repository and the platform’s blue checkmark, which critics argue misleads users since “anyone can pay for ‘verified’ status without meaningful verification.”
