Cara app has become a focal point in recent discussions about the relationship between artists and social media platforms. As Meta’s generative AI policies increasingly alienate creators, Cara emerges as a crucial alternative.
Founded by renowned photographer Jingna Zhang, this artist-run, anti-AI social platform has experienced exponential growth, expanding from 40,000 to 650,000 users within just a week.
The rapid adoption of Cara reflects the deep frustration among artists with the exploitative practices of major tech companies, and highlights a growing movement towards platforms that respect creative ownership.
We passed 500,000 users.
Half a million—I can't even.
It's been moving to see so many people enjoy the platform despite our many issues. Thank you for your patience. I hope our community will always remain encouraging & supportive like we are today. Half a million strong. ❤️ https://t.co/NMNqCTzV66
— Jingna Zhang @ cara.app/zemotion (@zemotion) June 4, 2024
What is Cara app?
Cara app‘s conception stems from the mounting dissatisfaction among artists with Meta’s policies. Instagram, a popular platform for artists to showcase their work and attract clients, has increasingly become a tool for Meta to train its generative AI systems using public posts.
This practice, particularly pervasive in regions not protected by GDPR laws, has pushed many artists to seek alternatives. Jingna Zhang, who has long been an advocate for artists’ rights, saw an urgent need for a platform where creators could share their work without the risk of it being co-opted by AI technologies.
Zhang’s experiences have profoundly shaped the Cara app’s development. Her legal battles against copyright infringement, including a significant case in Luxembourg, underscore her commitment to protecting artistic integrity. Zhang’s advocacy extends beyond her own work; she has also been involved in high-profile lawsuits against tech giants like Google and Stability AI for unauthorized use of artists’ work in training AI models.
Cara app, therefore, is not just another social platform. It represents a sanctuary where artists can maintain control over their creations. By partnering with initiatives like the University of Chicago’s Glaze project, Cara provides tools that help artists protect their work from being scraped for AI training.
Growth amidst controversy
The explosive growth of Cara in such a short period is a testament to the pent-up demand for an artist-centric platform. Many artists felt that Meta’s AI integration was an overreach, and Cara’s user-friendly approach offered a much-needed reprieve. Just like Meta’s platforms, where opting out of Meta’s AI training is cumbersome and limited to certain regions, Cara provides a straightforward and transparent alternative.
Jingna Zhang’s leadership has been pivotal in navigating the challenges posed by this rapid growth. Drawing on her diverse experiences—from managing an esports team to participating in Stanford’s Ignite program—she has cultivated a team capable of handling the platform’s unexpected surge in users. Zhang’s ability to rally volunteers and bootstrap the development of the Cara app has been crucial in maintaining the platform’s operations amidst such an unprecedented influx of new users.
However, the sudden increase in popularity has not been without its challenges. For instance, the unexpected spike in users resulted in a massive web hosting bill, posing a significant financial hurdle. Zhang’s openness about these struggles, as seen in her communication with Vercel, the web hosting provider, has highlighted the financial vulnerabilities faced by emerging platforms.
This transparency, which is an area we are not used to among tech giants, has also helped galvanize support from the artist community, many of whom are eager to see the Cara app succeed as a viable alternative to the dominant tech giants.
Protecting artistic integrity
A key feature of Cara that has resonated with artists is its partnership with the University of Chicago’s Glaze project. Glaze provides a layer of protection for artworks, making it more difficult for AI systems to scrape and use them without permission or by force just like how Adobe does it.
This focus on protection is particularly important given the contentious nature of AI training practices. Many AI models are trained on vast datasets that include copyrighted images, often without the consent of the creators.
This not only raises ethical concerns but also threatens the livelihoods of artists whose works are used without compensation. Cara app’s proactive approach to safeguarding content ensures that artists retain control over their intellectual property, fostering a more respectful and supportive environment for creative expression.
Wind may blow too harsh for Cara’s future
Despite its promising start, Cara faces significant challenges as it scales.
The financial strain of supporting a rapidly growing user base is a major concern, especially for a platform that is fully bootstrapped and relies heavily on volunteer support. Jingna Zhang’s decision to forgo venture funding in order to maintain control over the platform’s mission presents both an opportunity and a risk. While this approach allows Cara to stay true to its artist-centric values, it also limits the financial resources available to support its growth.
The issue of sustainability is further complicated by the high costs associated with web hosting and other operational expenses. Zhang’s public disclosure of Cara’s financial challenges has sparked a dialogue about the need for alternative funding models that align with the platform’s mission. Crowdfunding, grants, and partnerships with like-minded organizations are potential avenues for securing the necessary resources to sustain Cara’s growth.
So freaking speechless right now. Seen many @vercel functions stories but first time experiencing such discrepancy vs request logs like, this is cannot be real?? pic.twitter.com/VaGqQsrn7f
— Jingna Zhang @ cara.app/zemotion (@zemotion) June 6, 2024
The next few months will be crucial for Cara as it navigates these financial and operational challenges. However, the strong community support that has emerged in response to the platform’s mission offers a solid foundation. Artists, who have long felt marginalized by mainstream platforms, see Cara as a beacon of hope and are likely to continue supporting it through its growing pains.
Cara app is available on the Web, Android, and iOS platforms.
Featured image credit: Cara app
