Tech veterans try to build a kinder, more thoughtful Facebook

The Telepath network, which will be invitation-only to start, is trying to instill strict content standards from the get-go, including a rule against disinformation and hate speech. People have to use their real identity, and provide a valid phone number to sign up. — AFP

One of the most important investments Marc Bodnick’s old venture capital firm, Elevation Partners, ever made was putting US$210mil (RM875.07mil) into Facebook Inc before the company went public. More than a decade later, Bodnick is trying to build a new social network without the flaws that Facebook and other platforms have come to embody.

The former venture capitalist and technology executive – whose sister-in-law is Facebook chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg – on Thursday formally unveiled Telepath, an interest-based service intended to foster online conversations. The network, which will be invitation-only to start, is trying to instill strict content standards from the get-go, including a rule against disinformation and hate speech. People have to use their real identity, and provide a valid phone number to sign up. “Be Kind” is the site’s first rule.