Kevin Rose on Trusted Social Communities & AI - Digg Founder Insights

The Rise of Bots and the "Dead Internet" Theory

Alexis Ohanian, a co-founder of Reddit, recently stated his belief in the “dead internet theory” to Kevin Rose, founder of Digg. This concept suggests a significant portion of online activity originates from automated bots rather than actual people.

These two entrepreneurs are now collaborating to develop a new approach to building social communities. Their focus is on addressing the growing difficulty in distinguishing between genuine users and sophisticated bots online.

Reacquiring Digg and a New Vision for Social Platforms

Earlier this year, Rose and Ohanian completed the acquisition of Digg’s remaining assets. Digg, originally founded by Rose, was a prominent news aggregation site during the Web 2.0 era.

The revitalized Digg aims to provide a space for online socialization and connection within focused communities. This approach mirrors aspects of Reddit, but incorporates distinct principles for navigating a digital landscape increasingly populated by bot activity.

Focus on Trusted Communities and "Proof of Heartbeat"

Speaking at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, Rose emphasized the importance of prioritizing protected online spaces and “micro communities of trusted users” for the future of social interaction.

He anticipates that as the expense of deploying automated agents diminishes, bots will become increasingly adept at mimicking human behavior. Therefore, establishing small, trustworthy communities and verifying genuine human presence – a “proof of heartbeat” – will be crucial.

Addressing Verification Challenges

Current verification methods, such as facial recognition, ID uploads, and credit card payments, can be intrusive and may deter some users from joining online communities.

Digg is exploring alternative technologies, including Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs), to verify user identity without compromising personal information.

Leveraging Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs)

Rose describes ZKPs as a complex mathematical process that confirms essential information without revealing a user’s identity.

For example, a moderator of a community dedicated to Oura ring owners could utilize this technology to confirm ownership before granting posting privileges. This verification would establish a trusted member status without requiring the use of real names.

This approach could prove particularly valuable in communities dealing with sensitive subjects or health-related discussions.

Empowering and Compensating Community Moderators

The new Digg recognizes the vital role of moderators in shaping and maintaining healthy communities. Rose believes these foundational members should be financially compensated for their contributions.

During his TechCrunch Disrupt panel, Rose recalled the early days of Digg (2004, pre-Reddit) when countless individuals contributed content without receiving any remuneration.

He noted that many Reddit moderators dedicate significant time to tasks like spam control and conflict resolution, yet they receive no share of the platform’s revenue or control over their audience.

“This creates a situation where value is generated for a platform, but cannot be transferred or leveraged elsewhere,” Rose explained. Moderators lack the ability to collect email addresses or maintain contact with their community independently, and risk being removed from the platform.

Addressing Ownership and Control Issues

Rose also highlighted the issue of larger Reddit communities being trademarked, preventing founders from capitalizing on their creations. The example of the r/WallStreetBets subreddit founder being unable to publish a book under the community’s name was cited.

He advocates for a model more akin to Substack or Patreon, which provide creators with greater control over their communities and revenue streams.