Canadians will have a new place to post Canada Day photos this year as Gander Social plans to roll out its platform nationwide on July 1.
The news: The Canadian-built social media network today announced plans to bring the platform out of beta testing on Canada Day. Backed by more than 2,500 mostly grassroots investors and with thousands of current beta users, Gander markets itself as a more responsible social media network, verifying users to ensure they are human rather than bots, avoiding surveillance advertising and the sale of users’ personal data, and storing that data within Canada.
From the source: “Since May, Gander has quietly grown into a community of more than 18,000 members. On Canada Day, we move to a full national launch, inviting people across the country to join the conversation,” said Ben Waldman, the founder and CEO of Gander, in a press release.
Following the thread: Founded by Waldman in 2025, Gander aims to be a sovereign, Canadian-made alternative to American social media platforms like Elon Musk’s X or Meta’s Facebook. In an interview with the BetaKit podcast last November, the Gander CEO and founder cited US President Donald Trump’s threats of Canadian annexation, as well as concern around American tech’s near total control over Canadian’s data, as part of the inspiration for Gander.
The platform has attracted investment in the millions from crowd-funders, and counted early support from high-profile Canadians Arlene Dickinson and Amber Mac, both of whom have since severed ties with the platform.
Final thought: Recently, Canada announced it would seek to ban social media for users under 16 years old, following suit with Australia, which enacted a ban in 2025. While Gander’s platform would be covered under any such ban, the company has been actively positioning itself as a healthier alternative to US-dominated social media. Gander already requires users to verify they are over 18 to post or chat with other users. In its announcement, the company said it wants to prioritize healthier conversations and communities, and would be using the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms to inform its moderation policies.
BetaKit’s Prairies reporting is funded in part by YEGAF, a not-for-profit dedicated to amplifying business stories in Alberta.
Feature image courtesy of Gander Social.