Serena Williams recently celebrated her husband Alexis Ohanian’s ambitious bid to acquire TikTok with an innovative proposal to secure user data using blockchain technology. This move aims to empower and protect content creators through digital ownership and independence, leveraging the transformative intersection of social media, blockchain and empowerment.
Ohanian confirmed the bid in a social media post that underscored his vision for a creator-first platform:
“ICYMI: I’m entering a bid led by Frank McCourt to buy TikTok US. I’d love to see an app where users actually own their data and where creators have real control. Because that’s when tech is at its best—when it empowers the people who make it an interesting place to be, in the first place! Imagine bringing all those users seamlessly onchain… Let’s do this ????“
Ohanian’s proposal comes at a critical moment, with growing concerns over TikTok’s ownership and the security of user data underscoring the urgent need for greater transparency and user empowerment. Blockchain’s decentralized structure offers a powerful solution, allowing creators to secure clear ownership and control over their content—shifting power away from centralized platforms and back into the hands of those who create the value in the first place.
Expanding Digital Ownership Beyond Cryptocurrencies
While blockchain technology is often synonymous with cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, its potential for transforming digital ownership extends far beyond financial assets. The rise of non-fungible tokens (NFTs), for example, has already demonstrated how blockchain can secure ownership of digital art and media, but the implications are much broader. Blockchain’s ability to create immutable, verifiable records of ownership applies to any form of digital content, from videos to music, social media posts and even personal data.
For social media platforms like TikTok, integrating blockchain to manage data and secure content ownership would fundamentally shift the balance of power from platforms to creators. Currently, centralized platforms profit from user-generated content while providing creators with limited control over how their work is distributed or monetized. Blockchain would flip this power dynamic, ensuring that creators directly benefit from their intellectual property.
Additionally, digital ownership through blockchain could combat issues like plagiarism and content theft. With a permanent (aka immutable) record of ownership, creators could easily prove and enforce their rights, opening the door to fairer compensation models and licensing agreements. This shift represents a significant step toward a more equitable digital economy where creators, not platforms, hold the keys to value generation in the new digital economy.
Imagine a TikTok where every video, every remix, and every creative work carries a verifiable record of authorship on the blockchain. Not only would this protect creators’ rights, but it would also create a built-in means to compensate creators through smart contracts that automatically distribute revenue based on engagement or licensing agreements.
The Role of Digital Identity in Web3
Beyond content ownership, Ohanian’s proposal touches on the evolving concept of digital identity in the Web3 era. Web3, a decentralized version of the internet built on blockchain technology, promises to return control of identity and data to individuals rather than centralized tech companies.
Currently, most online identities are fragmented across platforms and controlled by centralized entities like Google, Facebook, and Apple. This model not only limits user control but also exposes individuals to data breaches and privacy violations. Blockchain-based digital identity would enable users to create a unified, self-sovereign identity that they control. Users could selectively share information with platforms and services without exposing sensitive personal data.
The Project Liberty Policy Blueprint reinforces this vision, arguing that control over personal identity and data is central to restoring balance in the digital ecosystem. The document advocates for an internet where individuals, not tech corporations, control their personal information and how it is used.
For TikTok and similar platforms, integrating digital identity on the blockchain could allow users to authenticate themselves securely while preserving privacy. Creators could verify their identity without relying on third-party platforms and retain full control over how their personal information and content are shared. This shift could also reduce bots and fake accounts, improving the overall quality of online discourse and engagement.
By empowering creators with control over their data and identity, blockchain would provide a more transparent and trust-based user experience—something that has been largely missing from major social media platforms.
A Strategic Move for Twitter/X and Beyond
Ohanian’s push toward blockchain-based social media governance is particularly relevant for platforms like Twitter/X, which have struggled with issues of user trust, content moderation, and monetization. Twitter/X has faced criticism for inconsistent content moderation, algorithmic bias and the monetization of user-generated content without fair creator compensation.
By adopting blockchain-based ownership and digital identity frameworks, Twitter/X could empower users to own their tweets and monetize their content directly, bypassing traditional advertising-based revenue models. For example, a tweet that gains traction could automatically generate micropayments for the creator through a smart contract, ensuring fair compensation for viral content.
Blockchain-enabled identity verification could enhance trust on the platform, reducing the spread of misinformation and creating a more authentic user experience. Fake accounts and bots have long been a problem for Twitter/X, but blockchain-based identity could require verified, immutable digital identities, making it harder for bad actors to manipulate the platform.
This could position Twitter/X as a leader in the Web3 transformation, attracting both creators and users seeking more transparent and equitable social media models.
A New Era for Social Media and Digital Rights
Ohanian’s vision points to a major shift in how social media platforms are run and who holds the power. By building platforms like TikTok and Twitter/X on blockchain technology, creators would finally gain more control over their content, stronger protections and real economic independence. This aligns perfectly with the original spirit of decentralization that inspired Bitcoin and NFTs.
Blockchain isn’t just about making money, it’s about creating a more transparent and trustworthy online environment. Instead of platforms profiting off user data, value would come from secure, user-driven interactions. Creators would finally have the ability to control how their content is used and be fairly compensated for their work.
If Ohanian’s bid succeeds, it could set the stage for a more balanced digital landscape, one where creators are empowered, data is protected, and platforms thrive through genuine user engagement. Ohanian is helping to spark an important conversation about the future of social media, one where the people who create value are the ones who benefit from it.
