ATLANTA - s4story -- YourPlace Inc. today proudly announces the Alpha launch and ongoing evolution of YourPlace, the groundbreaking decentralized social media platform that finally delivers on the original promise of social networking: Your data. Your relationships. Your rules.

In an era where centralized platforms increasingly impose censorship, harvest user data, and restrict free speech, YourPlace stands as a beacon of digital sovereignty. Built as an open-source protocol and software platform, YourPlace leverages blockchain technology including support for Algorand (ALGO), Base, Ethereum (ETH), and more, combined with IPFS for distributed, permanent storage. This architecture ensures content remains uncensorable and accessible across decentralized networks, immune to single-point failures or corporate takedowns.

Founded by lifelong tech veteran Austin (Nops) Lawrence, whose career spans high-impact roles at IBM, SpaceX, Coinbase, and AWS, YourPlace was created to restore genuine connection, customization, and joy to social media. The core software remains fully open-source and token-free, prioritizing user empowerment over monetization schemes.

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Key highlights of YourPlace include:

• True ownership - Users retain full control of their profiles, followers, content, and relationships. No platform can seize, delete, or monetize them without consent.
• Censorship resistance - Content persists on blockchain and IPFS, surviving even if gateways apply filters (much like email's resilience).
• Multi-chain interoperability - Seamless publishing and connectivity across leading blockchains for maximum reach and durability.
• Privacy and security focus - Minimal centralized data collection, with tools like IPFS Bad Bits filters and partnerships (e.g., Cloudflare for abuse prevention) to maintain a healthy ecosystem while complying with legal standards.
• Community-driven model - Anyone can run their own server/node, contribute to the protocol, or access via the default gateway at app.yourplace.network.
• Deep profile customization - Our platform allows animated avatars and banners, embedding of rich media in posts, and complete color customization of your profile. Bring back the personalized profiles of old.

YourPlace addresses the frustrations of modern social media - shadowbans, arbitrary deplatforming, and surveillance capitalism by modeling online interaction more authentically, like real-world relationships. As Nops Lawrence states, "We built YourPlace to give agency back to users, creating the most open and censorship-resistant social media network ever."

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With downloads available now and an active community growing, YourPlace invites everyone, from free speech advocates to privacy enthusiasts, to join the movement. Download the app, explore the network, and experience social media that truly belongs to you. Users who log in during the Alpha testing period, will receive a free NFT just for joining! No purchase necessary.

For more information visit yourplace.network, review our white paper and check out what we're building