Social.Wiki proposes editable social networks governed by their users
Science & technology · 29 October 2026
Large digital platforms usually impose one interface, one set of rules, and changes that users can scarcely reject without leaving their contacts behind. MIT researchers have created Social.Wiki, an experimental environment where anyone can build or modify social applications without administering servers and databases.
Every site has an edit function: people can alter code directly or ask an AI assistant for help. The same application can appear differently to different users. Through 'plural governance,' each person chooses which edits to accept and may designate trusted editors; data are stored separately from applications, with a guard restricting improper access.
Tests and workshops produced customisable messaging, a ride-sharing app with transparent pricing, a collaborative canvas, and a flower-themed microblog. Social.Wiki remains an academic prototype rather than a ready replacement for today's networks. Broader testing, better developer tools, and end-to-end encryption for private messages are among the next challenges.
Source: Adam Zewe · MIT News.