General
Revive Your Profile and 'Scratch' Each Other: Hyves Returns After 13 Years
Mediahuis Nederland is reviving the Dutch social network Hyves after a 13-year hiatus, aiming to provide an alternative to platforms like Facebook that users find addictive. Hyves director Riske Betten stated that the new platform focuses on user privacy by hosting data on European servers and avoiding intrusive algorithms or endless scrolling features. While retaining nostalgic elements such as profile customization and sending animated bananas, the current version lacks advanced functionalities like photo sharing, video uploads, private messaging, and topic-based discussion pages. The original site, which once surpassed Facebook in Dutch user numbers before declining, was purchased by Telegraaf Media Groep in 2010 for 43.7 million euros. The updated service, available via app, will continue to develop with potential future additions of older features yet to be determined.
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