Algorithm Transparency: Ethereum Foundation's Perspective on Free Speech and Censorship Resistance

Davide Crapis, Head of AI at the Ethereum Foundation, believes that any platform claiming to protect free speech must be transparent about how their algorithms are optimized. According to him, algorithms always directly impact the visibility, reach, and influence of content, so optimization goals should be publicly disclosed.

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has expanded this view with a bolder proposal. He suggests that all algorithmic decisions should be verified using zero-knowledge proofs to ensure integrity without revealing sensitive data. In this model, the timing of content posts and interaction metrics would be recorded on the blockchain to prevent censorship, retroactive editing, or distribution manipulation. At the same time, the algorithm’s source code could be published after 1–2 years to balance transparency and innovation.