Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has called for radical transparency. Social media algorithms must prove their fairness through cryptography. His target is X and similar platforms. According to Buterin on X, platforms should use Vitalik Buterin ZK proofs for verification. He tweeted that every algorithmic decision needs cryptographic proof. Content and engagement must be timestamped on-chain.
The proposal came after Ethereum Foundation AI lead Davide Crapis demanded clarity. Crapis stated platforms claiming free speech must disclose optimization goals. Users need readable and adjustable algorithm settings.
Can Blockchain Really Stop Algorithm Manipulation?
Vitalik Buterin ZK proofs would verify decisions without exposing sensitive data. The technology proves correctness while hiding implementation details. Platforms can demonstrate fairness without revealing proprietary code.
Zero-knowledge proofs secure over 100 billion dollars in stablecoin transactions. Major institutions including Goldman Sachs use ZK rollups. The technology has proven reliability across financial systems.
Buterin suggests timestamping every post, like, and retweet on-chain. Servers cannot censor or manipulate timestamps. This prevents retroactive content suppression or metric manipulation.
The framework includes delayed algorithm publication. Full code would release after one to two years. This protects intellectual property while ensuring eventual public scrutiny.
What Happens When Transparency Meets Social Media Control?
The proposal extends beyond social algorithms. Buterin recommends layering ZK proofs over other cryptographic systems. Multi-party computation and fully homomorphic encryption gain additional verification layers.
Voting systems present the most sensitive application. Blockchain communities study ZK-based voting models for governance. Privacy and coercion resistance remain paramount for participant safety.
Total value locked in ZK protocols exceeds 28 billion dollars. Technical advances like GKR protocols reduce verification costs. Full nodes now run on standard hardware.
The European Union enforces transparency through the Digital Services Act. X faces 120 million euro fines for non-compliance. Requirements include algorithm disclosure and researcher data access.
According to reports, X refuses researcher data access. The platform misleads users through verification systems. Anyone obtains paid blue checks without identity verification.
Buterin previously criticized X's trajectory under current leadership. He described the platform as harmful to free expression. Coordinated hate campaigns undermine the original mission.
The blockchain-based framework shifts debate from moderation to accountability. Platforms cryptographically prove their ranking and recommendation systems. Verifiable objectives replace after-the-fact explanations.
Research indicates ZK proofs reduce manipulation risks significantly. Simulated environments show up to 90 percent reduction. Real-time algorithmic bias audits become feasible.
