Forward Research, known for its decentralized data storage platform Arweave, has acquired Odysee, a decentralized YouTube alternative. Odysee, which boasts over 7 million monthly active users, has faced criticism for its lack of content moderation, with the Southern Poverty Law Center labeling it a threat due to its support for hate groups and extremists. Despite this, Forward Research CEO Sam Williams defends Odysee as a bastion of free speech, essential for a healthy democracy. The acquisition occurs amid rising political polarization and distrust in media. Forward Research plans to integrate Odysee and another web3 social media network, Solarplex, into the Arweave protocol, aiming to provide users with complete autonomy and self-governance.