PubHubs: Secure online communities for public value

PubHubs is a new Dutch community network built on public values such as safety, privacy, transparency, and independence. It is designed for organizations with responsibilities in the public domain—such as schools, libraries, hospitals, or local governments—that need a reliable online environment for communication and collaboration.

Unlike global, ad-driven platforms like Facebook or WhatsApp, PubHubs offers a community-focused alternative. Each participating organization manages its own Hub: an online space with customizable rooms where participants can safely communicate, share information, or collaborate—publicly or privately, with or without identity verification.

PubHubs offers more than just communication. Through proportional, attribute-based authentication using tools like Yivi, participants can trust they know who they’re interacting with without revealing their full identity. Each Hub sets its own access and moderation requirements, aligned with its norms, traditions, and responsibilities.

The software behind PubHubs is open source, but the network is cryptographically closed: only organizations committed to the network’s values can participate. This ensures data control remains with the organization, not commercial entities.

PubHubs is under development, with an initial set of Hubs being established in collaboration with public institutions and universities. It is a co-creation project, with participating organizations directly contributing to its design and development. Together, we are building a collective digital infrastructure that prioritizes public values.

Want to learn more or join? Contact us at contact@pubhubs.net.