New ‘anti-social’ network now the hottest thing on the internet

In a matter of days, the new social network Ello, described as the “anti-Facebook” for its stand on privacy and advertising, has become perhaps the hottest ticket on the Internet. Created last year as a “private” social network, Ello (www.ello.co) recently opened its doors on an invitation-only basis. Because of the limited supply and strong demand, the invitations have been selling on eBay at prices up to $500. Some reports said Ello is getting up to 35,000 requests per hour as a result of a viral surge in the past week. Ello’s policy states that the practice of collecting and selling personal data and mapping your social connections for profit “is both creepy and unethical.”

Ello doesn’t sell ads. Nor do we sell data about you to third parties. We believe a social network can be a tool for empowerment. Not a tool to deceive, coerce, and manipulate — but a place to connect, create, and celebrate life. You are not a product.

The Ello ‘manifesto’

Based in Vermont, Ello was launched by a group of artists and programmers led by Paul Budnitz, whose previous experience include designing bicycles and robots. Ello’s rise also comes amid complaints against Facebook from the gay community that the world’s biggest social network began disabling accounts using stage names instead of real names. Ello does not require real names. It remains unclear if the new social network will end up being a flash in the pan, or if it will develop a profitable business plan. Ello plans to remain “completely free to use,” but that it could start offering some premium features for a fee. But former Ello collaborator Aral Balkan said Ello has already been compromised by taking $435,000 in venture capital funding.

When you take venture capital, it is not a matter of if you’re going to sell your users, you already have. It’s called an exit plan. And no investor will give you venture capital without one.

Former Ello collaborator Aral Balkan