Meet MeWe, a privacy-first social networking platform

Facebook has a new rival that doesn't sell ads, and focuses on user privacy.

MeWe social networking platform (MeWe)

Facebook has been facing flak for its privacy issues following WhatsApp's new privacy policy about sharing data with its parent company. WhatsApp users have been flocking to rival privacy-focused apps Signal and Telegram. MeWe, a privacy-first ‘anti-Facebook' social networking platform is also seeing a huge traction in downloads and users.

MeWe isn't a new social platform as it launched back in 2016. It was only last year in October that it became popular by hitting nine million users. MeWe has been gaining more users with the current count 15.5 million, according to a report by ZDNet. The report added that MeWe added 2.5 million new users in the last week. Also, 50% of its users are based out of North America.

MeWe is also ranked no. 3 among the top free apps in the Google Play Store in the US, and it's the most downloaded social app. The Los Angeles-based social networking platform puts privacy first with “no ads, no spyware and no BS.” MeWe also has a privacy bill of rights where the company outlines its policies.

MeWe says that users will never receive targeted third-party ads or content. The news feed is also under the user's control and posts as well. MeWe will not recommend posts and content that users may like. The company also highlights that only users can control who can access their content, and they can also opt out of their member directory to protect their privacy.

The ad-free, privacy-first social networking platform is available in English and multiple languages including German, French, and Spanish. MeWe is free to use, and people above the age of 16 can sign up for the platform.