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Odysee
Type of businessVideo Hosting Website
Founded2020
HeadquartersLas Vegas, Nevada, United States
Founder(s)Julian Chandra
URLOfficial Website

Odysee is an American decentralized video hosting platform built on the LBRY blockchain. It positions itself as an alternative to mainstream services like YouTube with a focus on free speech and decentralization.[1]

The platform enables users to upload, share, and monetize videos through crypto currency, while maintaining content persistence through a peer-to-peer network[2] (transitioning to Arweave).[3] The content on Odysee is pulled from the LBRY network, enabling users to easily access content in a more open and accessible way without needing a central server. Unlike YouTube, Odysee does not suffer bandwidth costs, however Odysee.com itself doesn’t use peer to peer like PeerTube.

History

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Odysee was founded by Julian Chandra and officially launched in December 2020.[2][4]

Odysee quickly gained attention as it allowed users to bypass some of the moderation practices found on mainstream platforms. Its blockchain-based architecture ensured that content persisted as long as there were active nodes supporting it, providing an alternative to platforms that could remove or censor content.[5]

In June 2024, Odysee was acquired by Forward Research, a research and development incubator focused on building services on the Arweave network. The acquisition was announced alongside Forward Research's purchase of Solarplex, another social media platform.[6][7] The acquisition took place after Odysee's former parent company LBRY lost a lawsuit from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in July 2023.[8]

Technology

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Decentralized Media Ecosystem (DME)

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Julian Chandra, CEO of Odysee, highlights the Decentralized Media Ecosystem (DME) as crucial for the platform's future. The DME promotes a censorship-resistant and transparent media distribution model using Arweave's blockchain for persistent content storage. The DME supports media applications, akin to Twitter or Reddit, on a decentralized network, improving privacy and reducing reliance on advertisers.[9]

Blockchain

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At the core of Odysee’s technology is blockchain, a decentralized protocol that allows digital content to be distributed and stored without a central authority. This blockchain network supports a peer-to-peer infrastructure, which allows users to upload and share videos. The metadata of uploaded content is stored on the blockchain, while the videos themselves are hosted across a distributed network of users, referred to as nodes.[10][11][12]

Odysee was originally powered by the LBRY blockchain, utilizing a peer-to-peer network for content distribution and enabling users to earn LBRY Credits (LBC) for interactions like viewing and uploading videos. The platform’s decentralized nature gave creators more control over their earnings and the visibility of their content through a staking mechanism.[13]

Following Forward Research's acquisition of Odysee, the platform has begun transitioning to Arweave’s decentralized data storage infrastructure. This move was aimed at improving scalability and offering permanent, censorship-resistant storage for video content. Arweave’s blockweave technology allows for permanent storage of data, meaning once videos are uploaded, they cannot be deleted or altered. The transition to Arweave also marked the end of LBC support on Odysee.[citation needed] Instead, users and creators now shift to Arweave’s tools for decentralized data storage and management, while maintaining autonomy over their content.[14]

LBRY Credits (LBC)

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Odysee utilizes LBRY Credits (LBC), a cryptocurrency native to the LBRY Protocol, as a medium for transactions. Creators can earn LBC for their content through views, tips from users, or donations. Users can also boost the visibility of specific videos by contributing LBC, increasing the chances of content being promoted to others on the platform. The decentralized nature of the system ensures that videos remain accessible as long as there are peers supporting the network, thereby reducing the risk of content being taken down by a single entity.[15][better source needed]

Content Monetization

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Odysee offers several monetization options for content creators, including the ability to receive tips in both cryptocurrency and traditional currency. Creators can accept direct tips from their followers and set up paid memberships that provide exclusive content.[16] Additionally, they have the option to set prices for individual videos, allowing users to access content through either cryptocurrency or traditional payment methods. This model offers creators flexibility in how they monetize their work and provides users the option to pay for specific content.[17]

Comparison with other platforms

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Odysee

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Odysee is a blockchain-based platform that allows users to upload, share, and monetize videos. It operates on a decentralized network and promotes a less restrictive content moderation policy compared to mainstream platforms. Odysee is considered the largest Web 3 media platform globally, with its foundation rooted in blockchain technology, aiming to give users more control over their content. Users can earn cryptocurrency rewards for their interactions on the platform. However, Odysee's decentralized nature and minimal content moderation have raised concerns over the potential spread of misinformation and harmful content.

YouTube

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YouTube, owned by Google, is the largest video-sharing platform worldwide. It offers extensive monetization opportunities through advertizing and channel memberships and applies stricter content moderation policies, designed to comply with regulatory requirements and advertising guidelines. YouTube’s centralized structure allows for more consistent oversight but has faced criticism for removing content deemed inappropriate or harmful, which some argue limits free expression.

Rumble

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Rumble is a video-sharing platform that has gained popularity for its emphasis on free speech and more lenient content moderation compared to YouTube. It has attracted users who seek alternatives to mainstream platforms, particularly those who feel their content might be restricted under YouTube's policies. Like Odysee, Rumble offers monetization options, but does not operate on blockchain technology. Rumble has become popular among creators with political and social views that they believe may be censored on other platforms.

Criticisms

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Since its launch in September 2020, Odysee has been at the center of several controversies, primarily due to its content moderation policies and decentralized structure, which critics argue have allowed harmful content to flourish. The platform's approach to moderation, which is significantly less restrictive compared to mainstream platforms like YouTube, has attracted a range of users, including far-right groups, conspiracy theorists, and individuals banned from other platforms.[2][18][19]

Disinformation and Misinformation

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In addition to allegations of facilitating hate speech, Odysee has also been criticized for hosting disinformation, particularly around topics such as the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccines, and political issues. The platform's decentralized nature makes it difficult for content to be effectively moderated or removed, allowing misinformation and disinformation to spread without significant resistance. This has raised concerns about the proliferation of conspiracy theories related to elections, public health, and other widely debunked claims.[2]

Critics argue that Odysee's approach to content moderation contributes to the echo chamber effect, where false narratives are amplified within like-minded communities, reinforcing misinformation without the counterbalance of fact-checking or corrective information. These concerns have led to increased scrutiny of Odysee's role in the broader information ecosystem.

Global Reach and Availability

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Odysee is available globally, although it has faced geo-blocking restrictions in regions such as the European Union, where governments have raised concerns about harmful content and disinformation. Despite these limitations, Odysee continues to attract users seeking decentralized alternatives to mainstream social media platforms.[20][21]

Arweave

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Arweave is a decentralized network for permanent data storage, meant to ensure long-term availability of data. The native cryptocurrency of the Arweave network is called AR, which is used to pay for data storage.

Blockweave

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The Arweave network utilizes a blockchain-like technology called the "blockweave", focusing on data storage, which uses a Proof of Access mechanism providing an incentive to store the data that has been uploaded to the network.

SmartWeave

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SmartWeave is a smart contract protocol that operates on Arweave. Contract state is computed on-demand by the caller, reducing network load.[22][23]

Permaweb

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The Permaweb is Arweave's decentralized, permanent web of webpages, apps, and files stored on top of the Arweave network.[24]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Ha, Anthony (2020-12-07). "Odysee aims to build a more independent video platform". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  2. ^ a b c d "Extremist-friendly tech company closes after legal fine". theguardian.com. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  3. ^ Medium. "Arweave Weekly Highlights Week 23 | 6 Years of Arweave Mainnet, Acquires Odysee and Solarplex, Launches Data Aggregation Platform Dexi".
  4. ^ "Two Is Better Than One: LBRY and Odysee are Evolving". Odysee. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  5. ^ Crypto, Whiteboard (2021-11-15). "What is Odysee? LBRY Explained". WhiteboardCrypto. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  6. ^ "Arweave Adds Over 7M Users As Forward Research Acquires Odysee and Solarplex".
  7. ^ "Free Speech Video Platform Odysee Finds New Life with Arweave Integration". Data Fidelity. 2024-06-08. Retrieved 2024-10-16.
  8. ^ Wilson, Jason (2023-07-16). "Extremist-friendly tech company closes after legal fine". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-10-16.
  9. ^ Riedel, Carl (2024-07-20). "Odysee Sets The Future of Free Speech and Decentralization". Tacoma Encounter. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  10. ^ "Digital Threat Report: Odysee". Southern Poverty Law Center. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  11. ^ "What is Odysee? Definition & Meaning | Crypto Wiki". BitDegree. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  12. ^ says, Raqmedia (2023-07-25). "Odysee Review: Is It The Best YouTube Alternative? - RaQMedia". Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  13. ^ Crypto, Whiteboard (2021-11-15). "What is Odysee? LBRY Explained". WhiteboardCrypto. Retrieved 2024-09-30.
  14. ^ "Free Speech Video Platform Odysee Finds New Life with Arweave Integration". Data Fidelity. 2024-06-08. Retrieved 2024-09-30.
  15. ^ "What Is Odysee?". HTX. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  16. ^ "Assets | Odysee Help Hub". help.odysee.tv. Retrieved 2024-10-14.
  17. ^ Mastery, Torry (2023-07-23). "Odysee - Top Five Things You Need To Know". DotCom Magazine-Influencers And Entrepreneurs Making News. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  18. ^ Mittal, Ayush (2023-07-01). "Earn Money Watching Videos: Exploring the World of Odysee". Medium. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  19. ^ "On Odysee: The Role of Blockchain Technology for Monetisation in the Far-Right Online Milieu". ISD. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  20. ^ "Odysee: list of geo-blocking requests shows the EU and EU Member States are far from doing enough to enforce the law". EU DisinfoLab. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  21. ^ ITEdgeNews (2023-07-11). "Odysee is most popular decentralized social media platform in 2023". ITEdgeNews. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  22. ^ Wojciechowski, Jakub (2023-07-19). "EVM vs SmartWeave: A comprehensive guide for consenting developers (Part 1)". CryptoSlate. Retrieved 2024-10-16.
  23. ^ Wojciechowski, Jakub (2023-07-23). "EVM vs SmartWeave: A comprehensive guide for consenting developers (Part 2)". CryptoSlate. Retrieved 2024-10-16.
  24. ^ Inc, Permanent Data Solutions (2023-11-24). "What is the permaweb?". ar.io. Retrieved 2024-10-10. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)