OsoyoosConnect offers residents a local social network without ads or data mining

Osoyoos residents now have a social network of their own—one built around local conversation rather than corporate advertising, data collection and algorithms deciding what people should see.

OsoyoosConnect is an independently operated social network created specifically for the community. It is entirely free to join, contains no advertising and does not collect people’s activity to build advertising profiles or sell access to their attention.

The idea behind it is straightforward: provide a clean, familiar place where people in Osoyoos can connect, talk and share what is happening around them.

Members can create a personal profile, connect with friends, share photographs and updates, join groups and take part in community discussions. Local organizations, clubs and businesses can also create spaces where residents can find information and follow what they are doing.

OsoyoosConnect is not affiliated with Facebook, but it works in a similar and familiar way. Anyone who has used a mainstream social network should be able to find their way around without much difficulty.

Mobile apps are also available for Android and Apple devices through their official app stores.

What members will not find is equally important.

There are no sponsored posts slipped between updates from friends, no corporate advertisements following people around and no outside company paying to push its message to the top of the conversation. The site was not created to turn its members into a product. It was built to give Osoyoos a place to be social online without all the noise and pressure that now comes with the major corporate platforms.

OsoyoosConnect is not a scam

Rumours have circulated suggesting the new site may be a scam. Those rumours are false.

OsoyoosConnect does not charge a registration fee, request credit card information or sell memberships. Joining the network costs nothing, and there is no paid upgrade hiding behind the registration page.

New accounts do need to be activated by email. This is a normal security step used to confirm that the person registering has supplied a working email address and to help prevent fake and automated accounts. It also makes them agree they are 18 or over by providing a birthdate. ( it doesn't even have to be real )

After signing up, members should check their inbox for the activation message. If it does not arrive within a few minutes, check your junk or spam folder. Some email services may automatically place the message there.

The activation link must be opened before the new account can be used.

Like any new community, OsoyoosConnect will become more useful as more local people join and begin participating. Its value will come from residents sharing local information, starting conversations, supporting community groups and speaking directly with one another.

There is no corporate owner waiting behind the curtain and no advertising scheme attached to it.

OsoyoosConnect is simply a free local social network built for Osoyoos—a place where the community can connect without being watched, profiled and marketed to by corporate eyes.

OsoyoosConnect can be found at https://osoyoosconnect.ca