With about six million users, Vero, a social media platform co-founded by Dubai-based Ayman Hariri, is ready to take its next step.
“We’re looking forward to launching subscriptions in 2024,” said Mr Hariri, son of former Lebanese prime minister Rafic Hariri.
Vero, owned by Vero Labs, was launched in 2015, touted as an ad-free and algorithm-free alternative to social networks such as Facebook, TikTok and Twitter.
“We haven’t turned on subscription yet because it’s part of a bigger plan that we’ve had for this platform since day one and it’s taken a while for us to build the full vision,” he said.
The subscription model, however, will not affect the existing users, who will continue to be able to use the social platform for free.
The app prominently features photos, videos, links, music and films near the top of the screen, while providing a feed showcasing content from other users, similar to the look and feel of other social media apps.
When asked why the world needs another social network, Mr Hariri disagreed with the premise of the question.
“That would imply that we’re doing things similar to everybody else,” he said, before acknowledging the presence of other platforms. “I think we do need to have an alternative.”
The platform’s name, Vero, is no accident. It was taken from Latin, a variation of veritas, meaning truth.
“I noticed that my friends I knew really well were acting different on social media from how I really knew them in the real world,” he said, emphasising that algorithms on existing platforms are incentivising shocking and potentially polarising content.
Mr Hariri also said current social media platforms operate on an “addictive model” that ultimately doesn’t interest him.
“You end up cutting corners and doing anything you can to get the audience on your platform and keeping their attention, and that doesn’t align with me,” he said.
United Arab Emirates Dirham Exchange Rate
