Decentralized web

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The decentralized web is a network of independent computers that provide secure, censorship-resistant access to information and services without relying on central servers or clouds, using decentralized computing.

The decentralized web, also known as Web3, is an emerging paradigm that seeks to shift control away from centralized authorities towards distributed networks of users. Unlike the traditional web, which relies on centralized servers and services, the decentralized web leverages blockchain technology and peer-to-peer networks to enable greater user autonomy and data sovereignty. Projects such as IPFS (Inter Planetary File System) and Solid aim to create a more resilient and censorship-resistant internet infrastructure. Additionally, decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms built on blockchain networks offer alternative financial services that operate outside of traditional banking systems.[1]

History and development[edit]

Decentralized computing has a long theoretical and practical history in the design of robust systems. The internet itself was designed around principles of decentralization, allowing an unknown network of machines to be organically connected, addressed, and updated over time without a central administration.

In the development of the internet, Web 1.0 is sometimes described asprimarily static webpages with minimal interactivity; while Web 2.0 was described as the "read/write" web, with dynamic content and user interaction, including platforms like YouTube and the advent of smartphones which could easily capture and broadcast information from anywhere.[2] The rise of cloud computing and large platforms that served the needs of Web 2.0 led to a recentralization of the internet around those services.

Web 3.0 is the name given to a decentralized web movement that is sometimes described as a "read/write/own" stage of internet development. It focuses on decentralizing the underlying infrastructure of the internet, shifting away from centralized data storage and management using new protocols and technologies. Motivation for this includes:

  • Decentralization and democracy: A key aspect of Web 3.0 is its aim to restore the decentralized nature of the original web, thereby returning control and ownership to users. This shift is seen as a way to counteract the loss of democracy and freedom caused by centralized control of data.[3]
  • Censorship and security: Web 3.0 addresses major Internet issues like censorship by governments and security risks due to centralized data storage. Decentralization in Web 3.0 could significantly reduce these issues.[4]
  • Challenges of bandwidth and storage: Web 3.0 also aims to tackle the inefficiencies of bandwidth usage and storage limitations inherent in Web 2.0, proposing solutions like the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS) for more efficient data handlings.

Decentralized protocols[edit]

Like the centralized data storage of the centralized web, decentralized web protocols provide a shared data layer, eliminating the need for centralized data centers. This means data is stored on users' computers and used across various decentralized applications.[5]

BitTorrent and other peer-to-peer filesharing networks are one of the earliest successful decentralized protocols, allowing for file sharing and storage without a central archive, and allowing large files to be shared by many participants who could not store it in its entirety. Blockchain networks are a more recent example of decentralized tools and systems, in particular built on low-trust networks and transactions.[6][7]

In 2021, BitTorrent announced the development of Project Maelstrom to develop a fully decentralized and censorship-resistant browser.[5] Other decentralized browsers such as Beaker have been developed building on top of IPFS and other file-storage protocols.

In popular culture[edit]

Starting in 2016, the Internet Archive and Protocol Labs began hosting a regular DWeb Summit dedicated to new technical and social communities building the decentralized web.[8][9][10]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Narayan, C. (2021). Decentralized Web: The Future of Internet. Medium.
  2. ^ "What Is Web 3.0? – Forbes Advisor". www.forbes.com. Retrieved 2023-12-05.
  3. ^ "The Decentralized Web". MIT Digital Currency Initiative. 2020-01-02. Retrieved 2023-12-05.
  4. ^ Hsieh, Ying-Ying; Vergne, Jean-Philippe (March 2023). "The future of the web? The coordination and early-stage growth of decentralized platforms". Strategic Management Journal. 44 (3): 829–857. doi:10.1002/smj.3455. ISSN 0143-2095.
  5. ^ a b "Bittorrent Moves to Decentralize the Web".
  6. ^ Alabdulwahhab, Faten Adel (2018). "Web 3.0: The Decentralized Web Blockchain networks and Protocol Innovation". 2018 1st International Conference on Computer Applications & Information Security (ICCAIS). pp. 1–4. doi:10.1109/CAIS.2018.8441990. ISBN 978-1-5386-4427-0. Retrieved 2023-12-05.
  7. ^ "The Decentralized Web". MIT Digital Currency Initiative. 2020-01-02. Retrieved 2023-12-05.
  8. ^ Corbyn, Zoë (2018-09-08). "Decentralisation: the next big step for the world wide web". The Observer. ISSN 0029-7712. Retrieved 2024-04-16.
  9. ^ "Decentralized Web Summit: Towards Reliable, Private, and Fun | Internet Archive Blogs". 2016-06-16. Retrieved 2024-04-16.
  10. ^ "Internet Archive: Digital Library of Free & Borrowable Books, Movies, Music & Wayback Machine". archive.org. Retrieved 2024-04-16.


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