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Tim Berners-Lee Stresses The Need For A Decentralized Web
When Tim Berners-Lee sent the first packet of information between a server and a client in the late 80s, he may not have really understood the massive implication of what he was unleashing on the world. Over the years the Internet has rocketed ahead of its creator’s initial expectation in a huge way. These days, the Internet is plugged into everything – news, content, commerce and social connections. While this may generally be counted as success, there are some aspects of the internet that are troubling many. Berners-Lee himself is concerned about what he calls the emerging ‘Balkanized Web’.
For profit corporations and Governments are working hard to own the web or at least the data originating from their home soil. This has led many Governments and companies to establish access mechanisms which are limited only to a geographical location. Well, the internet was not designed with that in mind and Berners-Lee seems to be concerned by the policies that have enacted by countries and corporations which seek to limit the access and the massive potential of the web in keeping everyone connected. The Internet has always been more about seeking knowledge. Every other aspect of it has emerged because of this access to knowledge. However, knowledge and communications are being increasingly locked of what seems to be either due to the lack of knowledge of how the Internet works or because of the need to control information.
Speaking with Wired editor, David Rowan, Berners-Lee said that he wants a web that is decentralized, open and easily accessible to the general public across the world. He seems concerned about the fact that the Internet is growing even more rapidly since the last 2 decades and the need to keep a decentralized web is critical at this point. There are also other related issues about which he expressed concern. The foremost among them was the spying operations being conducted by secret agencies such as NSA and GCHQ, which were detrimental to the rights of an internet user. He expressed support for the right to protect whistle blowers like Snowden who shed light on otherwise clandestine spying operations being carried about by national security agencies of the top countries.
A decentralized web is important if you want to own the right to your own privacy and those of others. You should be able to use services which let you manage how your data is collected and processed. You should be allowed to own your data. By definition, the web is about connecting people and countries. Balkanizing such a mechanism is detrimental to the true purpose of the web.
You can head over and read Wired’s feature on why the Web is under threat as it turns 25.
Via ArsTechnica
Image Source | Wikipedia
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Source: http://www.watblog.com/2014/02/10/tim-berners-lee-stresses-the-need-for-a-decentralized-web/
