Orkut was once the dominant social network in the 2000s, particularly in India, before it was discontinued by Google in 2014. Recently, founder Orkut Buyukkokten has expressed ambitions for a revival of the platform. This comes over ten years after its closure, as Buyukkokten initiates a campaign to gauge public interest in a new social networking experience.

The petition, hosted on orkut.com, advocates for a network founded on authentic interactions, genuine relationships, and a sense of community. As of now, the petition has gathered more than 2,70,000 signatures from users in 115 countries, indicating significant interest in the concept he proposes.

Buyukkokten’s Vision for a New Network

In his open letter and a message posted on X, Buyukkokten emphasises the need for the internet to facilitate true friendship and an inclusive community. He criticises contemporary social media platforms for deviating from their intended purpose. According to him, the focus has shifted too heavily towards engagement at the expense of meaningful connections.

He remarked on how, two decades ago, the thrill of connecting with people from distant corners of the globe was rooted in the authenticity of those relationships. However, he argues that many platforms today prioritise engagement over emotional connection. He claims that algorithms designed to increase interaction often lead young users towards isolation and anxiety.

Moreover, Buyukkokten raises concerns about the influence of artificial intelligence on social media, suggesting that it complicates the fundamental understanding of personal interactions online. He points out that AI-generated content and deepfakes contribute to eroding trust, diminishing the essence of genuine connections that social networks were originally established to foster.

History of Discussions Around Orkut’s Revival

This is not the first instance where the possibility of relaunching Orkut has been brought to light. In 2022, Buyukkokten had previously reactivated orkut.com and issued a statement outlining a vision to develop a new social network focused on strengthening community and relationships rather than merely generating higher engagement metrics.

Despite the enthusiasm surrounding his earlier initiative, it did not result in the official return of the platform. Buyukkokten is now revisiting this idea with a fresh campaign aimed at eliciting public support for what he refers to as a more humane internet experience.

While nostalgia for the original Orkut remains palpable among users who were part of its early journey, whether this latest push will lead to a fully operational social network remains uncertain. The ongoing effort is predominantly centred on collecting public sentiment, with no definitive launch date or concrete details related to the proposed platform available at this stage.

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