About us
Who is behind VerifySocial
VerifySocial is a civic initiative started by Paun Costel, a Romanian citizen, 48 years old.
I am not a politician. I do not represent any party. I am not funded by any organization. I am an ordinary person, employed, who looked at what has been happening in Romania and across Europe and decided that the problem of online manipulation through fake accounts deserves a real solution — not just discussions.
Why I started this project
I watched with concern how networks of fake accounts influenced the presidential elections in Romania in 2024. I saw how thousands of coordinated accounts can create, overnight, a false perception of majority support. I understood that social media platforms will not solve this problem on their own and that the solution must come at the European legislative level.
I also noticed that the European Union has already created the necessary tools — eIDAS 2.0 and the DSA — but that no one has formally proposed the connection between them. This is the idea behind VerifySocial.
What I have done so far
In March 2026, I founded the NGO — Asociatia Verify Social (CIF 54264206), using my own funds. Since then, everything you see here — the website, the content, the NGO registration, media outreach, accounting, organization — has been done by me, alongside my professional work.
I have not requested and have not received external funding. Everything that exists so far has been built for one reason: I believe this idea deserves to be heard in Brussels.
Why I need help
I will be honest: one person cannot carry a European Citizens’ Initiative to completion. For VerifySocial to reach the European Commission, I need:
- Citizens’ committee members from 7 EU member states — this is the formal requirement without which the initiative cannot be officially registered. It is priority number one.
- Volunteer experts in European law, IT and digital security, communication and PR, and translations into EU languages.
- Supporters to promote the idea in Romania and across other EU member states.
- Financial support for translations, promotion in European media, technical infrastructure, and participation in relevant events.
A transparent project
I believe that an initiative that calls for transparency online must itself be transparent. That is why I will say it directly: I am alone, resources are limited, and the road to 1 million signatures is long. But the idea is solid, the European legal framework already exists, and past examples show that European Citizens’ Initiatives can lead to real change.
If you also believe that the internet should reflect real voices — not networks of fake accounts — then we share the same cause.
Contact me directly
📧 contact[at]verifysocial[dot]eu
There is no PR team behind this email. I reply personally.
➡️ Discover how VerifySocial works in practice