Orkut once again attracted internet attention on Thursday (10/08), but not in the way many users expected. A countdown concluded, leading to the publication of only an online petition and a letter from the creator of the old social network.
In his message, Orkut Büyükkökten criticizes the current model of social networks, paying special attention to engagement-based feeds. He also raises questions about the use of artificial intelligence and bots on the internet, advocating for the creation of an environment that prioritizes people and communities.
In 2024, Büyükkökten announced work on a new social network but has not disclosed many details about the project since then. The proposal presented now still appears to be in the early stages of development.
The website invites interested parties to support the creation of the platform and provide their data to demonstrate interest in the project. However, registration does not guarantee receiving an account in the future network nor does it mean that it already has a launch date.
The original social network Orkut was launched in 2004 and closed by Google in September 2014 after ten years of existence. The initiative announced on Thursday is not a reactivation of that old network but represents a new project by Büyükkökten.
The social network was particularly popular in Brazil and was associated with the culture of internet cafes and computer clubs that spread across the country in the 2000s. Brazil is also mentioned as the main origin of supporters of the new initiative: according to data presented on the site itself, more than 70% of the signatures on the petition come from there.