Yubo boosts online safety with Sharone Franco on the Tech Coalition board and Margaux Liquard presenting advanced measures at the InHope Summit.
Yubo, the live social discovery app, is making significant strides in enhancing online safety for its predominantly Gen Z users. First, Sharone Franco, Yubo’s head of legal and public policy, joined the board of directors at the Tech Coalition. And second, Margaux Liquard presented at the InHope Summit, which focuses on protecting children online. These actions highlight Yubo’s dedication to creating a secure digital environment for young users.
Franco’s appointment places Yubo at the forefront of industrywide efforts to combat online threats to minors, particularly child exploitation. She joins a distinguished group of industry leaders on the Tech Coalition’s 2024 Board of Directors, including representatives from major tech companies such as Verizon, Meta, Zoom, Roblox, Google, Amazon, TikTok, and Microsoft. This diverse assembly brings together experts in digital safety, content policy, and risk management.
“My appointment to the board is a valuable opportunity for our team to strengthen its ties to like-minded organizations and work collectively to eliminate online safety issues at scale,” stated Franco.
In her role on the Tech Coalition board, Franco, a former practicing attorney specializing in cybersecurity, intellectual property litigation, and data protection, will collaborate with other members to address the most pressing online safety risks facing minors today. Her work will involve developing and implementing strategies to combat online child exploitation, a critical issue in the digital age.
Yubo Focuses on Making the Next Wave of Online Networking Safe
Sacha Lazimi, CEO and co-founder of Yubo, emphasized the significance of this move, stating, “This appointment marks a significant step forward in Yubo’s efforts to lead the industry in creating a secure online environment.”
Since its launch in 2015, Yubo, co-founded by Lazimi, Jérémie Aouate, and Arthur Patora, has attracted over 80 million people from more than 100 countries who use the platform to “hang out online” through livestreaming, messaging, and gaming.
“The next wave of online networking will reflect a growing demand for fulfilling human connections on a one-to-one basis or within small groups. At Yubo, we consider ourselves pioneers in this next era, and social discovery is the foundation of this emerging phase,” said Lazimi.
Strengthening Online Safety through AI and Industry Collaboration
While Franco takes on her new role at the Tech Coalition, Margaux Liquard, Yubo’s head of safety, has actively promoted the platform’s advanced safety measures. Liquard recently spoke at the InHope Summit held at the AviaTor Forum in Brussels, an event that brought together key stakeholders in the fight against online child exploitation.
During her presentation, Liquard detailed Yubo’s integration of machine learning algorithms in its safety protocols. She emphasized how the platform uses advanced artificial intelligence to detect and mitigate harmful behaviors among its user base proactively.
She explained the live social discovery app’s commitment to “Safety by Design,” an approach that involves embedding safety features into the platform from the ground up. By leveraging AI, Yubo creates a robust safety ecosystem that evolves with emerging threats, ensuring users are protected in real time. The AI systems at Yubo are capable of identifying inappropriate content across various formats, including visual, textual, and audio materials. This proactive approach helps prevent potential harm before it escalates.
At InHope, Liquard explained that Yubo collaborates with its product teams “to develop safety tools to empower our community to feel safe and listened to.”
Franco and Liquard’s efforts are part of Yubo’s broader strategy to ensure user safety. The platform has implemented various measures to protect its young users, including comprehensive age verification through a partnership with Yoti, AI-powered content moderation, and user education features. Yubo also collaborates with experts from organizations such as the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Thorn, and The Diana Award to refine its safety features continuously.
Yubo’s Unique Approach: Genuine Connections and Enhanced Safety
While Franco and Liquard focus on safety, it’s important to understand what sets Yubo apart from traditional social media platforms. Rather than focusing on likes and followers, Yubo emphasizes genuine connections and real-time communication. The app is designed for social discovery, helping users meet new people and form friendships based on shared interests. Features like livestreaming, interest-based matching, and real-time interactions create an environment that fosters authentic connections.
As Yubo evolves, so does its approach to user safety. Initially focused on teenagers, the platform now caters primarily to young adults aged 18 to 25, who make up 80% of its users. This shift has led to a brand refresh and new features tailored to this more mature audience.
Franco and Liquard’s roles are crucial in ensuring safety remains at the forefront as Yubo grows and changes. Their work ensures that as Yubo grows and adapts to the changing needs of its Gen Z user base, it remains committed to fostering genuine connections in a secure digital space.
Yubo’s efforts demonstrate that online safety is not just a feature; it’s a fundamental aspect of the platform’s design and operation. Yubo’s proactive approach to safety seeks to set a standard for the industry and provide a model for how social platforms can prioritize user protection while fostering meaningful connections.
“We try to take the best of offline interactions, and we add to that the power of the technology to make sure that you will instantly be connected with the right group of people anywhere in the world at any time,” Lazimi said.
Published by: Khy Talara
