Next-Generation ‘Digg’ Platform to Give Moderators More Power and Recognition

Building on this idea, Ohanian has joined forces with Digg founder Kevin Rose to work on a new design and vision for the platform. The next-generation Digg aims to foster online human connections and community building, similar to Reddit, but introduces new methods to distinguish between bots and real users.

At the TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 conference, Rose said, “The future of social networks will focus on safe online spaces and ‘small, trusted communities’.” He explained that as the cost of running bots or agents approaches zero, bots will increasingly behave like humans online. Therefore, building small, trusted communities and verifying real human presence through “heartbeat proof” will be crucial.

Current verification methods include face recognition, ID uploads, or small-cost verification via credit cards. However, users often feel uncomfortable with such methods. Digg plans to use Zero-Knowledge Proof (ZKP) technology for user verification in the future.

Rose explained, “ZKP is a math-based technology that allows verification of a user’s eligibility without revealing their identity.” For example, before posting in a community, it can verify whether a user actually owns an Oura Ring, marking them as a “trusted member” without disclosing their real name. This method is particularly useful in health or sensitive-topic communities.

The new Digg model also aims to give more power to community moderators. Rose said, “Founding members who create communities should have their efforts recognized. When we started Digg in 2004, millions of people contributed content, yet they received no compensation.”

He noted that many Reddit moderators work around the clock to manage spam and disruptions, yet receive no income or control over audience engagement. “You create value for the platform but have no control over it, cannot collect emails, cannot maintain contact with your audience, and may even be removed from the platform if needed,” he said.

Rose added that large Reddit communities sometimes become de facto trademarks, limiting founders’ ability to monetize. For instance, r/WallStreetBets’ founder could not write a book using the community’s name. Rose believes the platform should be more like Substack or Patreon, giving users more control over their communities.

The new Digg platform focuses on creating safe, trustworthy, and regulated online communities, where humans and bots can be distinguished easily, and moderators receive proper authority and recognition.