Twitter Co-Founder To Launch New Social Media App Focused On Real Connections

Forbes - Mar 7th, 2025
Open on Forbes

Evan 'Ev' Williams, co-founder of Twitter, is launching Mozi, a new social media app aimed at fostering real-world connections, at this year's South by Southwest (SXSW) conference in Austin. Unlike traditional social media platforms, Mozi focuses on private interactions without public profiles or follower counts. It alerts users when their contacts are nearby and facilitates event attendance sharing through its Local Plans feature. Mozi has garnered $6 million in venture funding, with support from notable entrepreneurs like Dave Morin and Dennis Crowley. The platform represents Williams' vision for a technology that prioritizes meaningful relationships over engagement metrics.

Mozi enters a social media landscape dominated by giants such as Meta and X, but with a unique approach that challenges the prevailing focus on content consumption and engagement metrics. By deliberately avoiding common features like likes and comments, Mozi aims to reorient digital social interactions towards genuine connections. The app's launch comes amid growing concerns about digital wellness and the psychological impact of screen time. While Mozi's focus on real-world interactions presents a philosophical challenge to existing platforms, its success will depend on whether users are willing to shift away from the dopamine-driven engagement of traditional social networks.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

7.6
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a well-rounded and timely examination of Mozi, a new social media app that emphasizes real-world connections over digital engagement metrics. It effectively communicates the motivations behind the app's creation and the challenges it faces in a competitive market. The use of credible sources and clear language enhances the article's accuracy and readability, making it accessible to a broad audience.

While the article is balanced and informative, it could benefit from a wider range of perspectives, including those of industry experts and potential users, to provide a more comprehensive analysis of Mozi's potential impact. Additionally, greater transparency regarding the app's monetization plans and potential conflicts of interest would enhance the reader's understanding of the context and motivations behind Mozi.

Overall, the article succeeds in engaging readers with a compelling narrative about an innovative social media platform, while also highlighting broader societal concerns about digital wellness and the future of social technology. Its potential to influence public opinion and spark meaningful discussions is noteworthy, although the app's niche status may limit its immediate impact on the industry.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The story's factual accuracy is high, as it aligns well with verified sources and provides detailed information about Mozi's launch, features, and the motivations behind its creation. The main claims, such as Mozi debuting at SXSW, its focus on real-world connections, and the involvement of notable investors, are supported by credible sources like Bloomberg and official statements from Evan Williams. However, areas needing further verification include the exact timeline of the app's development and launch, as well as specific details about its monetization plans, which are mentioned but not extensively elaborated upon. Overall, the story effectively communicates its key points with precision and truthfulness.

7
Balance

The article presents a balanced view of Mozi, highlighting both its innovative approach and the challenges it faces in a competitive social media landscape. It emphasizes the potential philosophical shift that Mozi represents without overly favoring the app or its creators. However, the story could benefit from including perspectives from external experts or potential users to provide a more comprehensive view of the app's market potential and challenges. The focus remains largely on Evan Williams' vision, which, while central, could be complemented by additional viewpoints on the broader implications for the social media industry.

8
Clarity

The article is well-structured and uses clear, concise language to convey its main points. The narrative flows logically from the introduction of Mozi's concept to the challenges it faces, making it easy for readers to follow. The tone remains neutral and informative throughout, avoiding sensationalism or bias. However, the article could improve clarity by providing more detailed explanations of technical terms or concepts related to social media dynamics for readers who may not be familiar with the industry jargon.

8
Source quality

The article relies on high-quality sources, including direct quotes from Evan Williams and Molly DeWolf Swenson, which adds credibility and authority to the reporting. The inclusion of information from Bloomberg and references to known figures in the tech industry, such as Dave Morin and Dennis Crowley, further supports the story's reliability. However, the article could enhance its source variety by incorporating perspectives from industry analysts or academics to provide a more rounded analysis of Mozi's potential impact on social media dynamics.

7
Transparency

The article is transparent in its reporting, clearly attributing quotes and information to specific sources like Bloomberg and directly quoting key figures involved in Mozi's development. However, it lacks detailed explanations of the methodology behind the app's development and the specific criteria for its success. Additionally, potential conflicts of interest, such as the investment by Obvious Ventures, are mentioned but not explored in depth. Greater transparency regarding these aspects would enhance the reader's understanding of the context and motivations behind Mozi.

Sources

  1. https://www.geekwire.com/2025/meet-the-seattle-based-ceo-leading-mozi-a-new-social-app-she-launched-with-twitter-co-founder/
  2. https://beamstart.com/news/twitter-co-founder-to-launch-17413724276613
  3. https://9to5mac.com/2024/12/13/mozi-is-a-new-social-media-app-for-people-who-dont-want-a-new-social-media-app/
  4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evan_Williams_(Internet_entrepreneur)
  5. https://www.mozi.app