Digital Public Square

Digital Public Square is a not-for-profit, spun out of the University of Toronto, dedicated to serving communities-in-need with good technology. Communities are healthier when they have vibrant spaces and opportunities to cultivate belonging, inclusion, connectedness, and meaningful engagement. Digital Public Square (DPS) and its founding team have spent the better part of a decade learning how to create tools that generate these outcomes with good technology. From building platforms that track political accountability; to empowering new voices countering violent online narratives with evocative campaigns; and even creating new ways for neighbourhood communities to reach decisions — Digital Public Square has created tools that enable people to more safely explore complex ideas at scale. We want to convince everyone - from startups to governments - that technology should not ask you to trade privacy for participation; compete for your time; or use dark patterns to command your attention. Good technology is about dignity and respect; it’s designed with the people that use it; and it gives people more autonomy to make meaningful decisions. Communities need tools built on these principles now more than ever. Our name, Digital Public Square, embodies our shared vision to meet this challenge and create the vibrant, healthy, community spaces all of us urgently need.