What is Gander Social? Canada’s New Homegrown Social Media Platform
Most social media platforms today feel more like a data trap than a space for genuine connection. Gander Social is trying something different. And it’s being built right in Canada.
Gander is a new social media app in early development. It’s designed to put privacy, user control, and community back at the center. The idea is simple: give Canadians a space to connect without handing over personal data or fighting with the algorithm just to be seen.
The platform hasn’t officially launched yet, but the buzz is growing. So are the questions. Here’s what we know so far.
What is Gander Social?
Gander Social is a new social platform being built by a Canadian team that wants to make online interaction safer and more meaningful. The focus is on privacy, transparency, and real engagement instead of clicks and outrage.
Instead of endless scrolling driven by outrage and ad revenue, Gander is aiming for a calmer, more customizable experience.
Here is what the team has shared about the app so far:
- A personalized feed that users can control
- Local content based on region and interests
- No data harvesting or tracking
- Troll filters and bias indicators for healthier conversations
- Familiar tools like stories, videos, and pin boards
- Hosting and data storage fully within Canada
Gander is being built on the AT Protocol, the same open system that powers Bluesky. This setup will let users interact across the wider AT network or stay within Gander’s local community.
The team describes it simply as “social media that does not make you want to throw your phone into a lake.”
What Makes Gander Social Different
Gander’s structure and goals are shaped by the idea of digital sovereignty. Instead of collecting data or prioritizing ads, the platform focuses on what matters to users.
1. Built and Hosted in Canada
Gander is fully Canadian in every sense. Its servers, team, and privacy standards are all based in Canada and follow national laws. The name “Gander” comes from Gander, Newfoundland, a town that famously welcomed stranded travelers during 9/11. That spirit of care and community is at the heart of the project.
2. A Feed You Control
Algorithms decide what people see on most platforms. Gander plans to change that by giving users control over their feeds. You will be able to prioritize creators, topics, or content types based on your preferences instead of what drives engagement.
3. Privacy Comes First
Gander is partnering with ThinkOn, a Toronto-based cloud company, to host data securely in Canada. The app’s design avoids the usual practices of surveillance advertising and third-party tracking.
That means:
- No targeted ads based on your activity
- No selling of personal data
- No tracking across websites
- Compliance with Canadian privacy laws from the beginning
The goal is simple: protect users and make data handling transparent.
4. Local and Contextual Content
Gander plans to highlight Canadian creators, stories, and events. At launch, users will be able to post text, images, videos, and links. Over time, the team aims to introduce tools that help users understand and interpret what they see, encouraging thoughtful engagement instead of quick reactions.
5. Tools for Safer Online Spaces
The app is testing tools to identify misinformation and trolling without relying on aggressive moderation. Features in development include:
- Community moderation options
- Troll filters
- Bias and context labels
- Privacy-respecting verification features
These tools are designed to help users make informed choices about what they engage with.
What is New: Beta Testing and Design Updates
The Gander team recently shared several updates as it moves closer to launch.
1. App Preview Video
Gander has released its first look at the app. The preview video walks through early features and offers a glimpse of what the first users can expect.
2. Beta Testing Coming Soon
The first beta test will begin in October 2025. Early Access members can join through a short, anonymous, Canadian-hosted form. The initial group will be small to make sure feedback is manageable and useful before expanding to more users.
3. What the Community Said
Over a thousand Canadians took part in Gander’s first participatory design activity this summer. Feedback from that process revealed four priorities for users: informative, communal, protective, and authentic. These values are now guiding the development of the app’s features and design.
4. Slow and Steady Growth
Instead of chasing rapid expansion, the team wants to grow gradually. The focus is on building trust and stability first. This approach reflects a clear move away from the “growth at all costs” attitude that has shaped many social platforms.
Who is Behind Gander Social
Gander was founded by Ben Waldman and a group of Canadian technologists, privacy specialists, and designers. The company is structured as a public benefit organization, meaning its purpose extends beyond profit to include transparency and public trust.The project has attracted support from organizations such as the Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA), the Toronto Lawyers Association, and the Public Service Alliance of Canada. Each is interested in helping develop the platform’s community and civic features.
Why Does Gander Social Matter for Brands & Creators?
For Canadian creators, small businesses, and social media managers, Gander offers something most social platforms don’t: a local-first space that respects both privacy and purpose.
While the full suite of features won’t be available at launch, the roadmap includes:
- Customizable profiles
- Privacy-conscious performance tracking
- Monetization options
- Shared revenue models
- Tools to help creators grow communities without being forced into a growth-at-all-costs model
At a time when trust in social media is low and users are looking for something better, Gander is offering an alternative that feels more grounded. And for many Canadians, it couldn’t come at a better time.