The Welsh social platform Tŵt is preparing to release its new mobile app.
The unveiling in Cardiff on 28 February represents a new stage for the long-running, community-owned network. After nearly a decade supporting digitally engaged users, the service is broadening its appeal with a streamlined design intended for everyday use.
The occasion brings to a close the six-week Pethau Bychain campaign, which has engaged thousands around the idea of a more constructive and accessible online environment. Attendees will receive an early demonstration of the app before its public rollout on Dydd Gŵyl Dewi.
Jaz-Michael King, Tŵt Cymru’s founder and Director said: “We are thrilled to announce the launch of our mobile app as the next step in our journey.
“This launch comes at a period of unprecedented volatility for mainstream social media. With platforms like X (formerly Twitter) facing ongoing instability, uncertainty surrounding the new ownership of TikTok, and the increasing commercialisation of user data, the need for a stable, community-owned alternative has never been more urgent.
“Tŵt offers a digital lifeboat for Wales and the Welsh, at home and abroad—a space that cannot be bought, sold, or broken by the whims of a single billionaire.”
The initiative includes a strategic alliance with the Newsmast Foundation, which has provided the technical framework for the app through its Apps for Change programme. The collaboration aims to give Welsh journalists and community voices a fair platform beyond the influence of profit-driven algorithms.
Michael Foster, Co-Founder of the Newsmast Foundation and ex-director of Reuters New Media said: “Journalism needs a home that isn’t owned by a billionaire or governed by an opaque algorithm. This is about more than just social media; it’s about creating the self-governed infrastructure necessary for communities, supported by independent news, to survive and thrive. We’re proud to be working with Tŵt to showcase our technology and help Welsh people take another step towards digital sovereignty.”
Advocates for a stronger Welsh digital infrastructure have welcomed the development.
Dr David Clubb, Chair of the National Infrastructure Commission for Wales, notes that community-owned digital spaces like Tŵt are essential for a sovereign, connected, and sustainable Wales. He said: “The adoption of communication tools by the public sector in Wales has seen us become dependent on American-owned global media giants, where surveillance has become baked into our ability to receive public information. This is the antithesis of future generations’ thinking.
“Tŵt offers a completely different direction of radical open-ness and community that is both exhilarating, and beautifully aligned with Wales’ future generations obligations.”
Jaz-Michael King added: “This isn’t just about launching an app; it’s about gathering the people who will call this space home.
“We will convene in the heart of our national capital to celebrate culture, community, and digital sovereignty – proving that Wales can lead the way in creating social spaces that prioritise people over profit.”
Tŵt forms part of the Fediverse, allowing interaction across decentralised platforms used by millions worldwide. Launching on St David’s Day positions the project as a contemporary contribution to Welsh public life while connecting to a global social network.
Details are available at croeso.toot.wales and www.newsmastfoundation.org.
