As W’s founders pitch a “bot-free” alternative to Elon Musk’s X, they now face the brutal test of proving their business model can actually hold up in the real world.
W, backed by 80 European investors, launched with 55,000 beta users and mandatory human verification to block bot content, challenging X's regional dominance. This signals Europe's digital sovereignty push under EU regulation—a strategic shift from US platforms impacting enterprise governance and compliance decisions.
Production: By Europod, in co-production with Sphera Network.
EUobserver is proud to have an editorial partnership with Europod to co-publish the podcast series “Briefed” hosted by Léa Marchal. The podcast is available on all major platforms.
Find the full transcript below:
On Wednesday, the new social media platform W launched its beta version. It is said to already have 55,000 users worldwide, and it is already backed by 80 European investors.
What does W offer that existing platforms don’t?
Forget X here's W: The new European social network to take on Musk
What is ‘W,’ Europe’s attempt to replace Elon Musk’s X?
W marks the X-spot: European social network takes on Musk
Che cos'è 'W', il tentativo europeo di sostituire X di Elon Musk?
Europa compite con Elon Musk: una red social busca ser la alternativa de X
Europa compite con Elon Musk: W busca ser la red social alternativa de X
Che cos'è W, il social europeo che vuole sostituire X di Elon Musk?
After X comes W — at least, that’s Europe’s bet
After Trump, Musk, and bans, European founders race to build sovereign social media — TFN
Commission accused of promoting European social media platform | Euractiv
