Author: Francesco, Business Development Manager, IntoTheBlock; Translation: Jinse Finance xiaozou

friend.tech sucks, it's not the SocialFi (social finance) app we need, why do you say that?

Given what we've seen recently about friend.tech, this may be an unpopular opinion. But please be patient and read this article.

We're very eager to see a new or Twitter-replacing SocialFi app, and we'll try hard to like it. But here are a few reasons why I don't like friend.tech:

(1) The influence of the release of a real SocialFi app should be bottom-up, and should not be promoted by opinion leaders, Internet celebrities, etc. It will be decentralized and open to all. While this marketing technique is very successful and apparently works for friends, it's just another way to make influencers feel great and ordinary people suffer.

(2) Do you really want to buy stocks recommended by your favorite influencers? Is there really no other direct communication channel? Is this the best pattern? This is all somewhat controversial.

(3) Based on Base or not based on Base

The timing of the launch of Friends was perfect, and it can make the difference between a successful app launch and one that no one cares about. Low volatility, Base releases, and a lack of interesting narratives combine to make a perfect combination. Still, is the Base chain the right place to release applications? Or is it just the best option to fit the hype?

(4) This app does not reflect the spirit of cryptocurrency: it is collecting information about your Twitter account and social connections. A big red flag for me is the lack of a written privacy policy. How can we use it blindly without knowing what data the app is collecting? You need to log in with your email. Connect your twitter... We don't know why. Who would release an encrypted SocialFi app with no privacy policy?

Just a few years ago, this would have everyone grumbling and questioning. I think we are really dazzled and overwhelmed by these new things. Influencers certainly don't care if they make money or expand their influence. In fact, you may have joined Friends because your favorite influencer shared a code that prompted you to join — so they could see their share price go up. Friends actually relies on very simple human psychology and emotions.

(5) This app sucks! Honestly, it's one of the worst apps ever made. So many problems...still slow...why is the project released at this stage?

To summarize: I think Friends is a Web3 trojan masquerading as an encrypted app. It only benefits those influencers you like. It does not reflect the spirit of encryption, nor does it attempt to do so. Honestly, people have become so complacent they don't even question it anymore.

Are you afraid of revealing personal information when you buy a hat, but casually provide your Twitter and information to a platform that can collect your social connections? Please, we can do better.

I downloaded Friends to see what kind of app it was, and deleted it immediately. Yes, I am a whiner, and I think it is necessary to reflect on various aspects of the problem and new trends. Maybe I'm wrong - it's my stupidity. But it's definitely a worthwhile intellectual test.

Honestly, fuck his social media, fuck his centralized control. Do you want to be the next SocialFi? Then give me full privacy protection, openness and decentralization.

As it stands, Friends is an interesting way to monetize attention and followers. However, it is also another way for influential people to use their social capital...or another way to exploit civilians.