The battle against bots: How to secure social media in the age of AI

Blockchain-based Web3 technologies can cleanse social media of fake accounts and AI-driven disinformation.

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to evolve, it brings opportunities and challenges, particularly in social media. On the one hand, AI’s integration into social media analytics has transformed how businesses engage with audiences, enabling more personalized content​. 97% of surveyed business leaders agree that AI and machine learning will significantly enhance companies’ ability to analyze social media data and insights more efficiently.

On the other hand, AI also presents new risks, such as the creation of sophisticated bots and the spread of disinformation. A study suggests that on X (formerly Twitter), fake news spreads six times faster than real content, with 70% of users unable to distinguish between real and fake news.

Facebook is a more striking example, having deleted 6.5 billion fake accounts in 2021. The social media giant also took action against fake accounts by addressing 691 million such accounts in the fourth quarter of 2023.

The number of worldwide fake accounts removed from Facebook. Source: Statista

While the issue of authenticity in traditional social networks remains a significant challenge, AI-powered bots continue to be a headache across the internet. Research shows that over 49% of web traffic in 2023 came from bot activities, and 32% were bad bots.

In response to fake social IDs and AI-based bot challenges, Web3 provides a promising environment powered by blockchain, aiming to create more secure and reliable online communities. Decentralized networks have the potential to increase user control and integrity, building a future where digital interactions are both empowering and safe.

Sustainable and ethical interaction model

A Web3 social app designed for the permissionless and noncustodial ecosystem, Phaver combats the persistent problems of fake messages and identities. The platform helps users cultivate their reputations within and across decentralized social networks, rewarding them with off-chain points for each constructive contribution.

Founded by Joonatan Lintala and Tomi Fyrqvist, who have worked for companies such as Google, Facebook, Goldman Sachs, and Alibaba, Phaver offers a sustainable and ethical social interaction model. The founding duo is working to fix the broken social ecosystem from the ground up by focusing on user ownership and interoperability through Web3 technology.

Phaver aims to build a future where online social graphs are owned and built by users, not companies. Source: Phaver

Phaver leverages the Lens Protocol created by the decentralized finance (DeFi) platform Aave with the goal of enabling users to own their social relationships and interactions through nonfungible tokens (NFTs). Lens Protocol is a decentralized social graph that allows creators to own their content as NFTs.

In addition to Lens, Phaver supports decentralized social graphs such as Farcaster, MocaID and CyberConnect. With all supporting social graphs, Phaver makes social connections more secure and permanent by improving user control and enabling interoperability.

A seamless transition to Web3 social interaction

Cointelegraph Accelerator participant Phaver provides a simple introduction to its platform without requiring any crypto wallet for initial registration. Users can sign up using a traditional email or Web2 login, suitable for those new to Web3 technology. Once registered, users can create a Phaver profile without requiring any blockchain knowledge. For those with a Lens profile, Phaver allows easy integration during the registration process.

In the Phaver app, users have the flexibility to personalize their experience. Phaver users can subscribe to various interests or follow other participants. If no specific selection is made, the feed will default to showing the latest popular content so new users can discover exciting discussions and content.

To enhance users’ personalized experience further, Phaver incorporates a unique reward system called Cred. Users can connect one or more wallets and start earning Creds and points based on their activity on the platform and the eligible NFTs they own. The score measures users’ reputation within the platform, taking into account their contributions and interactions. Users with higher Cred scores have greater influence and trustworthiness within the community, which encourages positive engagement and discourages malicious behavior.

Creating a Phaver profile requires no blockchain knowledge, making it accessible to all users. Source: Phaver

Building on its innovative reward system, Phaver is also taking proactive steps to secure the platform against AI manipulations and the creation of fake content by introducing the Anima proof-of-personhood. The platform stores each user’s unique privacy-safe facial print in the user’s wallet. Participants can connect their wallets and complete a facial scan to claim a unique NFT, proving their uniqueness.

Phaver also offers advanced features, such as purchasing points or participating in gamified social experiences for more meaningful engagement. These features reward the creator and allow the “stakeholder” to earn rewards if the promoted posts become popular.

Keeping users engaged

Since its founding, Phaver has reached 300,000 unique app installs, 50,000 weekly active users and $150 million in connected NFT value on Phaver Cred. Behind this data lies user retention ability, a critical metric for any social platform. In South Korea, for example, users spend an average of six hours a week on Phaver, underscoring the app’s ability to keep users engaged.

Phaver has also formed partnerships that enhance its platform and expand its reach. Notable collaborations include Lotte Group’s NFT arm in Korea and The Smurfs, both of which are exploring and expanding their Web3 footprint.

Phaver is poised to solidify its position in the Web3 social media space through several strategic initiatives. The platform plans to improve multi-protocol integration by adding support for additional decentralized social graphs such as CyberConnect and Farcaster.

Phaver is dedicated to creating an internet where users have ownership. Source: Phaver

Phaver is also preparing to transform the onboarding process for new users with a Web2 background. By making points available for purchase as in-app purchases, Phaver aims to simplify entry into the Web3 space and make it as easy as downloading and interacting with a traditional app.

Moreover, Phaver will continue to develop its proprietary trust score and expand it to cover a broader range of social metrics. At the same time, the platform is exploring the introduction of NFT-gated topics that will bring together select NFT holders for exclusive discussions and networking opportunities.

Phaver envisions a future where users can freely engage in decentralized social networks without fear of encountering AI-generated content or bots. By implementing innovations such as the Anima proof-of-personhood platform and Cred scores, the platform aims to mitigate the risks posed by AI threats and foster a more authentic and trustworthy online experience.

Supporting user-centered platforms that prioritize security, authenticity and community participation will contribute to the development of the crypto and Web3 ecosystem. As Web3 technologies develop, more authentic and secure interactions will be possible.