Bond has introduced a post-feed social network that utilizes AI memories to combat doomscrolling, although its data model has sparked concerns.

      In summary: Bond, a new "post-feed" social network created by former Index Ventures principal Dino Becirovic and ex-Google DeepMind researcher Arthur Brazinskas, debuted on April 21. It eliminates infinite scrolling and algorithmic feeds, instead utilizing AI trained on users' photos, videos, and audio to suggest real-world activities. This app is part of an emerging "healthier social media" category, joining Tangle (backed by Twitter and Pinterest co-founders), BeReal, and Locket. However, its long-term business model of licensing user data for AI training and the absence of end-to-end encryption raise concerns regarding its stance against exploitation.

      Bond, which launched on Tuesday, does not feature a traditional feed. There is no infinite scroll, no algorithm-driven timeline, and no carousel of short videos designed to keep users engaged. Instead, users upload photos, videos, and audio as "memories," which Bond's AI analyzes to recommend real-life experiences, such as nearby restaurants related to your posts or upcoming concerts of bands featured in your clips. The idea is to create a social network that encourages users to leave their devices, instead of keeping them engaged on them. Whether this concept can sustain itself in the consumer technology market remains unanswered.

      Bond was established by Dino Becirovic, who previously worked as a principal at Index Ventures focusing on consumer internet and marketplace investments, and has experience at Kleiner Perkins, Goldman Sachs, and Twitter. Co-founder Arthur Brazinskas has a background in user signal integration at Google Gemini and reinforcement learning for model alignment, holding a PhD in opinion summarization from the University of Edinburgh. The team consists of individuals who have previously developed products at TikTok, Twitter, and Facebook. The app launched simultaneously on iOS and Android. Funding specifics have not been revealed.

      Understanding "post-feed" in practical terms

      The platform's interface displays user profiles in a cluster format instead of a scrollable feed. When a profile is tapped, the user's current stories appear. There is no equivalent to Instagram's Explore page or TikTok’s For You page. The design intentionally creates friction, requiring active navigation as opposed to passive consumption, unlike conventional social media.

      The AI component operates above this structure. User memories—comprising their photos, videos, and audio—train the system on individual preferences and behaviors. Bond subsequently creates tailored suggestions for experiences, events, and activities. Becirovic explained how it works: if you share your fondness for pho and mention not having it recently, Bond might suggest a well-reviewed nearby Vietnamese restaurant. For heavy metal fans, it could inform you that Iron Maiden will be performing in your city next week.

      Users can control their data through a Memory tab or via a conversational AI feature called "Memory chat," allowing them to review, edit, or erase stored content. They can opt to delete their entire profile if desired. Although end-to-end encryption is not available at launch, Becirovic indicated it would be a priority in the near future. In the interim, Bond claims to securely store all user data in its database.

      The issue it aims to address

      Becirovic characterized Bond as “an AI-driven solution to screen addiction,” criticizing traditional social media for being designed to keep users engaged with their devices, leading to incessant consumption of distracting feeds filled with memes and trivial videos to generate more advertisement-friendly platforms. The platform stands against what he refers to as “bed rotting” and “doomscrolling” culture.

      The timing of this launch is significant. A California jury recently found Meta and Google liable for intentionally creating addictive social media platforms in a landmark case, with numerous similar lawsuits pending. Several European countries are moving to ban children from social media, and there are ongoing efforts in Australia, France, Spain, Austria, and Greece to limit access for minors. The EU Parliament is also pushing for a continent-wide digital minimum age of 16. EU regulators have penalized features promoting excessive screen time, with TikTok obligated to discontinue its Lite Rewards program following statements from Commissioner Thierry Breton regarding young Europeans' attention being a valuable currency for social media. The current cultural and regulatory climate is increasingly antagonistic toward the engagement-maximization model that underpins the industry.

      Bond is not operating in isolation

      The demand for "healthier social media" platforms is on the rise. Tangle, founded by Twitter co-founder Biz Stone and Pinterest co-founder Evan Sharp, raised $29 million and poses a daily question to users: “What’s your intention for today?” Sharp addressed the motivation as a response to “the terrible devastation of the human mind and heart that we’ve wrought over the last 15 years.” BeReal encourages users to share one unedited photo each day at random times to counter the staged and filtered content trending on Instagram. Locket enables users to share images directly to friends’ home screens via widgets, devoid of likes, follower counts, or public metrics. Noplace provides a