Agora is a citizen network that utilizes Zero Knowledge Proof cryptography and a bridging-based ranking system to facilitate secure, authentic discussions on divisive political and social issues. By enabling participation through biometric verification, Agora fosters meaningful dialogue while ensuring user privacy and mitigating the effects of polarization in democratic societies.
Funding
$126.6K raised to dateRaised to date based on public sources. This may differ from the amount the company actually raised and is based only on what is publicly available on the internet.
Founders
Product
Problem
Traditional social networks often prioritize engagement-based ranking algorithms that can amplify polarizing content, hindering constructive dialogue on complex social and political issues. Bots and inauthentic accounts can further degrade the quality of online discussions, making it difficult to discern genuine perspectives and build common ground.
Solution
Agora is a citizen network designed to foster meaningful, large-scale discussions on social and political issues. The platform utilizes bridging-based ranking algorithms to highlight content appreciated across diverse viewpoints, aiming to depolarize online interactions. Agora encourages the use of Personhood Credentials, allowing users to prove aspects of their identity, such as unique personhood, without revealing personal information. The platform also employs community-driven moderation to address misleading, antisocial, or off-topic content, promoting a more transparent and balanced environment for online discourse.
Target Audience
Agora targets citizens, organizations, and governments seeking to engage in meaningful discussions on social and political issues, as well as individuals interested in participating in a depolarized online environment.
Features
- Bridging-based ranking algorithms to highlight content appreciated across diverse viewpoints
- Encourages the use of Personhood Credentials to verify humanity without revealing personal information
- Community-driven moderation to flag and address misleading, antisocial, or off-topic content
- Open-source codebase under the AGPL license for transparency and community review
- Moderation history remains publicly accessible and verifiable through a decentralized network (Nostr)
- Support for Personhood Credentials via RariMe for users with biometric passports