Is MeWe Safe?

If you use or plan to use MeWe, you need to know: Is MeWe safe? 

Below, we explain whether MeWe is: 

• Safe to use. 
• Good for privacy. 

We also look at some steps you can take to improve both your safety and privacy when using this online service. 

What Is MeWe?

MeWe is a social networking platform that emphasizes user privacy and control over personal data, distinguishing itself from more mainstream platforms like Facebook and Twitter. 

Launched in 2016 by Mark Weinstein, MeWe was created as a response to growing concerns about privacy violations and data mining practices commonly associated with larger social media companies.

One of the core principles of MeWe is that it does not sell user data or use targeted ads. 

The platform operates on a subscription model, offering additional features through paid tiers, such as extra storage or custom themes. 

MeWe offers many of the features found on traditional social media platforms, such as news feeds, private and group chats, photo and video sharing, and communities centered around specific interests. 

It also provides encrypted messaging and does not require real names, giving users more control over their online identity. 

While it has gained popularity among privacy-conscious users, MeWe’s approach has also attracted some communities that prefer less moderation, leading to a diverse and sometimes controversial user base.

Is MeWe Safe?

MeWe is generally considered safe, especially compared to more mainstream social media platforms. 

In its privacy policy, MeWe says it has in place “physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards” to protect your information but does not provide much detail about these safeguards. 

That said, it does say it encrypts your personal data, and most of your requests to the server are made over a secure HTTPS connection. 

As outlined on MeWe’s website, users have access to several safety features (including blocking and reporting other users). They can also control who sees their posts and who can interact with them and retain full ownership of their content. 

MeWe does not use algorithms to manipulate your feed. This means you see posts in chronological order, and there’s less risk of being influenced or manipulated by content curated to drive engagement, which can sometimes lead to exposure to harmful content.

No data breaches have been associated with MeWe at the time of writing.

Is MeWe Private?

Depends on your definition of “private,” but generally speaking, yes. 

One of MeWe’s core principles is not selling user data to third parties. Unlike many other social media platforms, MeWe does not monetize its site through targeted ads, meaning your data isn’t harvested to create detailed profiles for advertising purposes. 

MeWe doesn’t use behavioral advertising cookies to collect personal data on its site.

MeWe also says it does not use facial recognition technology and lets you delete your account and take your content with you anytime. 

Users can set their profiles to private or public. 

The company allows users to send messages that disappear automatically after they’re viewed or expire. 

In most cases, messages are automatically deleted from MeWe servers and the recipient’s device, but there may be some exceptions. For example, the data may remain in backup for a limited time, or MeWe may receive a request from law enforcement that requires them to temporarily suspend their deletion practices.

An old Reddit post says someone’s MeWe messages were shared with the third-party fraud prevention site Sift. 

In its privacy policy, MeWe outlines what data it collects, why it collects it, and with whom it shares it. 

Terms of Service; Didn’t Read (ToS;DR), a project that rates internet services’ terms of service and privacy policies, gives MeWe a “Grade B.” 

Among the issues noted are the following:

• User accounts can be deleted without prior notice or reason.
• Users’ personal information can be disclosed without notice.
• The service tracks the referring web page.
• Users are tracked via device fingerprinting.
• User personal data is given to third parties.

On the plus side, ToS;DR says that MeWe uses personal data for limited purposes and allows pseudonyms. No third-party analytics or tracking platforms are used, and you can retrieve an archive of your data. 

The Common Sense Privacy Program, which evaluates internet services’ privacy policies, gives MeWe a rating of 62% out of 100%, which is a “Pass.” This means MeWe “Meets our minimum requirements for privacy and security practices.”

If MeWe makes any material changes to its privacy policy, it will notify users of these changes and give you an easy way to opt out of the service and/or delete your account. 

How to Improve Your Safety and Privacy on MeWe

Follow the steps below for a more private and secure experience while using MeWe. 

• Set posts to private. By default, MeWe posts can be shared with your contacts or specific groups. To limit who can see them, make sure to set your posts to “Private” or “Contacts Only.”
• Control who can contact you. In your account settings, adjust who can send you friend requests, join your groups, or contact you directly to reduce interactions with people you don’t know.
• Limit app permissions. Check the permissions you’ve granted the MeWe app on your device. Only allow access to features like your camera, microphone, and location when absolutely necessary.
• Avoid sharing sensitive information. Be cautious with the personal details you share on MeWe, and avoid posting sensitive information like your address, phone number, or financial details, even in private messages.
• Enable encryption for chats. Use MeWe’s encrypted chat feature for private conversations to add an extra layer of security, making it harder for anyone to intercept your messages.
• Join trusted groups only. Be selective about the groups you join on MeWe. Only join groups that align with your privacy preferences and have appropriate privacy standards.
• Keep your settings up-to-date. Regularly review and adjust your privacy settings on MeWe to ensure they still meet your needs as the platform updates its privacy options.
• Strengthen account security. Protect your MeWe account with a strong, unique password that you don’t use on other sites. Consider using a password manager to keep track of your passwords.
• Restrict profile information. Adjust your profile settings to limit who can see details like your friends list, contact information, and activity on MeWe.
• Avoid clicking unfamiliar links. Be cautious when clicking on links shared by others, even in trusted groups, as they could lead to phishing sites or other malicious content.
• Use reporting tools. If you encounter suspicious behavior or content on MeWe, use the platform’s reporting tools to flag it and help maintain a safer environment for everyone.