STOA Protocol
Protocol-level infrastructure for pluralistic moderation and transparent governance. Not a platform. Not another social network.
The STOA Protocol is an open-source, cross-platform safety and identity layer for the internet.
Our goal is to give users control over their digital identity, safety, and moderation settings across platforms — while enabling civil society to contribute transparent, rights-based moderation frameworks.
Without such a layer, decentralized ecosystems (Web3, Web5, AI-driven social media) risk replicating the harms of Web2: misinformation, harassment, polarization, and regulatory backlash. STOA protocol provides the trust scaffolding that makes decentralization safe, accountable, and usable for everyday citizens.
Core Innovation
At the center of STOA protocol is the Canonical Social Object Model (CSOM) — an open specification that normalizes posts, comments, reactions, blocklists, and trust signals across platforms. This enables:
Portable Moderation Packs – NGOs, journalists, and civic groups publish certified packs (child safety, disinformation, hate speech filters) that users can adopt across platforms.
Transparency Tools – explainable moderation showing who flagged content, why, and under which framework.
User Vaults – encrypted, local-first storage of identity, blocklists, and safety preferences.
Pluralistic Governance – a hybrid structure (EU nonprofit foundation + US public benefit corporation) ensures mission lock and global adoption.
Use Cases
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Everyday Users
Carry safety settings across apps, choose moderation packs that reflect personal values.
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Governments
Rights-based enforcement aligned with GDPR, UN Human Rights, Santa Clara Principles.
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Journalists & NGOs
Scale fact-checking and safety expertise beyond single platforms.
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Platforms
Reduce liability by adopting a neutral, open moderation infrastructure.
Why Partner With STOA
STOA isn’t another platform — it’s the governance and safety layer that every platform, policymaker, and researcher will need. By partnering or advising, you’ll help shape how transparent, pluralistic governance works at internet scale.
For Platform Operators
Reduce liability and build trust. Integrate OSA’s moderation packs and transparency tools to comply with emerging global safety laws, protect users, and differentiate your network through user choice.
For Policy Researchers & Civil Society
Deploy your frameworks in the real world. OSA’s portable moderation packs allow you to turn policy recommendations into practical, interoperable tools that communities can adopt across networks.
For Academic & Technical Advisors
Shape the open specs of tomorrow. Join us in designing protocol-level governance standards that prevent capture, align with human rights frameworks, and ensure long-term resilience.
