Jack Dorsey Launches diVine, Reviving the Iconic Vine Experience

Jack Dorsey, co-founder of Twitter, has launched a new project called diVine, aimed at reviving the popular video-sharing platform Vine. This initiative provides access to over 10,000 archived Vine videos, restoring content from a backup created before the platform was shut down in 2016. Users can now create profiles and share their own new Vine-style videos, breathing fresh life into the six-second looping format that captured the internet’s imagination.

The diVine project is supported by Dorsey’s nonprofit organization, “and Other Stuff,”, which focuses on funding innovative open-source projects that could transform the social media landscape. A key figure in this revival is Evan Henshaw-Path, also known as Rabble, a former Twitter employee who has been instrumental in exploring Vine’s extensive archive.

After the shutdown of Vine, the Archive Team managed to back up its videos in large binary files, which were not initially accessible. Recognizing the potential of this archive, Henshaw-Path developed scripts to extract the old content, reconstructing popular videos along with user engagement data, such as views and comments. He estimates that the new platform contains a “good percentage” of the most popular Vine clips, with approximately 150,000 to 200,000 videos from around 60,000 creators.

Protecting Copyright and Blocking AI Content

The diVine platform allows creators to maintain control over their content. Vine creators who hold copyrights can submit a DMCA takedown request to have their videos removed, provided they can verify their account ownership by accessing the social media accounts linked to their Vine profile. This ensures that original creators have the authority over their work.

In a move to differentiate diVine from traditional social media platforms, the project has committed to blocking content generated by artificial intelligence. Henshaw-Path is implementing technology from the Guardian Project, a nonprofit focused on human rights, to verify that new uploads are created by real individuals. This step is intended to foster an authentic community of creators and preserve the spirit of Vine.

While Elon Musk announced his plans to revive Vine in August 2023, no further developments have been publicly disclosed. The diVine team believes that their approach, utilizing archived content with respect for copyright, aligns with fair use principles.

The new diVine platform is now available on both iOS and Android devices, accessible at diVine.video. With its focus on community, authenticity, and the old Vine nostalgia, diVine aims to capture the essence of its predecessor while adapting to contemporary social media dynamics.