The 63 years old founder of the World Wide Web (www), Tim Berners-Lee, has shown concerns about the manner the internet is being used, for the past ten years. According to Berners-Lee, the internet was created for the people, for quick exchange of information across the world. But, the goal that its founders had, have been got off the course.
He said, “For a long time, 20 years, I thought all I had to do was just keep it free and open, and people will do wonderful things. Then in fact, if you look and talk to people on the street now, there’s been a big change. I think this has been a tipping point.”
Berners-Lee is bothered about the situations that the internet is facing these days. The threats like data breaches, hate speech, fake news, tech monopolies, and other things have deviated the internet from its initial goal. Berners-Lee, on Monday, called for a contract for the web, that includes guidelines for corporations, governments, and citizens, to make it safe and accessible for everyone. He said that the in 1989, when the internet came into being, it was assumed as the biggest breakthrough, as it connected the technology and humanity. But, it has caused a digital divide between the richer and the poorer countries. Also, half of the world’s population, including billions of women and girls, are still to get access to it.
“The web is for everybody, and so if the web is for everyone the contract has got to be for everyone,” said Berners-Berners-Lee, at Europe’s largest technology conference.
The biggest issue with today’s internet is that the negative content on the web is getting more attention and there is a flood of fake news and hate speeches. Also, the most used apps like Instagram and Youtube are the products of tech giants like Facebook and Google, leading to a monopoly.
The contract will be released by May 2019, at the same time 50 per cent of the world will be online for the first time. More than 50 organisations have already signed the contract, which is published by the World Wide Web Foundation. The contract includes the mention of the requirement for all the governments to treat privacy as a fundamental human right and has published a report that calls for urgent action.
Yashica is a Software Engineer turned Content Writer, who loves to write on social causes and expertise in writing technical stuff. She loves to watch movies and explore new places. She believes that you need to live once before you die. So experimenting with her life and career choices, she is trying to live her life to the fullest.