Decentralization of the web

From Computer Science Wiki
Web Science[1]

Decentralization is the process of distributing or dispersing functions, powers, people or things away from a central location or authority[2]. The web today is accessed via ISP (Internet Service Provider). Once a government or corporation controls or monitors the ISP, you can control and monitor individual web traffic.

This topic looks at decentralized networks - with many different nodes - hosting and sharing content, so this there isn't

What is the decentralized web?[edit]

Here are some excellent quotes from the school of information studies at Syracuse University:

Although originally decentralized, nowadays the Web is suffering the surveillance of U.S. centralized control monopolies. The Decentralized Web is the global effort to re-decentralize the infrastructure, protocols, applications and governance of the Web.[3]

A Web designed to resist attempts to centralize its architecture, services, or protocols [so] that no individual, state, or corporation can substantially control its use. [4]

A Decentralized Web belongs to all of us: Its power lies in our connections to each other. Its architecture encodes our values; its usage affirms our freedom to collaborate, share, and create.[5]

As there isn't one governing "overseer" of the web, and the web exists in the context of a Distributed networks, it is easy to imagine how the web can become more decentralized.

Decentralized networks.png

Do you understand this?[edit]

From the IB: Students should be aware of developments in mobile technology that have facilitated the growth of distributed networks.

Standards[edit]

These standards are used from the IB Computer Science Subject Guide[6]

  • Explain why distributed systems may act as a catalyst to a greater decentralization of the web.

References[edit]