Hyves returns after 13 years with nostalgic features and a new European focus

After more than a decade offline, Hyves is back under the ownership of Mediahuis Nederland, the publisher behind one outlet and De Telegraaf. The revived site brings back nostalgic elements such as profile “pimping” and the ability to send a dancing banana, but it still lacks several features that modern users expect, including thematic discussion pages, multimedia uploads, and direct private messages. The platform was rebuilt in partnership with a European website and app developer, ensuring that hosting and data storage remain within Europe and that user information is not shared with external parties.

Riske Betten, Hyves director, explained that the comeback targets users seeking a less intrusive social experience, with fewer aggressive ads and algorithmic feeds. An app version is also available, and further functionality may be added over time, though specifics have not been disclosed.