What is Bright?
Bright is a social network that’s truly social. It’s an opportunity to meaningfully connect with real people who share real (verified) information on a platform that maintains and secures your privacy. It’s a community based on mutual respect, trust, and accountability, where people can share ideas and inspire each other. Bright is the social network we’ve deserved all along, and you won’t have to sacrifice your privacy or well-being to participate.
Who are the Bright team?
Taryn Ward has spent her career tackling complicated problems in academia, in legal practice, and now social media. She is excited to bring her love of language, ideas, and connection to Bright and create an entirely new kind of social network.
Steven Jones brings a wealth of experience as a people leader, administrator, and scientist to his position as COO. He has helped solve some of the world’s most complex challenges in public health and is excited for the Bright team to build community and well-being.
Mina Aletrari is the Chief Relationship Officer at Bright. She holds a PhD in Biological Sciences and has a deep familiarity with data, information flows, and research. As Chief Relationship Officer, she will facilitate forming partnerships with organisations that share Bright’s core values.
James J. Ward is an experienced data strategist and privacy expert who has helped clients build data products and services that drive growth while still respecting privacy. He is proud to be a part of the Bright team and to help bring new products and experiences to Bright Members.
Trevor Chartier is a retired 20-year US Army officer whose work in the Army Futures Command gives him insight into cybersecurity and the latest technology. He is excited to bring his experience to Bright and create an environment that is safe, welcoming, and engaging.
Gina Neff, Chair of the Bright Advisory Board, is Professor of Technology & Society at the Oxford Internet Institute and the Department of Sociology at the University of Oxford and is the Director of the Minderoo Centre for Technology and Democracy at the University of Cambridge. She studies the future of work in data-rich environments. She is the author of the award-winning books Venture Labor and Self-Tracking.
What does “verified” mean?
Bright verifies that every person who wants to become a Member is actually a person and not a bot. We do this for two reasons. First, it’s the most reliable way to keep bots off of the network -- and no bots means a better experience for everyone. Second, accounts tied to real people are not only less likely to engage in abuse or harassment online, but they can also be held accountable when they do.
What verified does not mean is that we keep copies of photo IDs or any other data we don’t need to keep our network operating. Remember: we don’t sell or share your data with anyone.
What does “reliable information” mean?
Fake news and misinformation are everywhere online, and keeping them out of Bright is a top priority for us. We talk about promoting reliable information and the “best of the internet,” which means that clickbait or fake items won’t get promoted or go viral across the network. How? Our systems don’t allow widespread sharing of information until it has been validated as trustworthy by our Members and, in some cases, experts. We also actively seek out fake news and remove it from the network and, in a complete change from how things are done elsewhere, any Member who shares it can be held accountable.
Everyone has the right to their opinions and their views, which is why you can share any viewpoint a Member likes as an Experience Post as long as it doesn’t violate the Membership Agreement or Community Standards. But sharing something as “news” means holding ourselves to a higher standard, and that’s exactly what our approach to “reliable information” is all about.
Other Questions?
If you have any Membership questions, please contact us at memberships@TheBrightApp.com
Any other questions? Reach out to us at hello@TheBrightApp.com