The perfect circle closes: Tim Berners Lee, the man who created the World Wide Web, launched an action plan to save his invention.
Tim Berners-Lee affirms that the worst aspects that characterize the internet today threaten to cause a digital dystopia (I have spoken extensively about the dangers of a "Splinternet"). To save the internet, he therefore decided to launch a "Contract for the Web".
Created by more than 80 organizations representing governments, companies and civil society, the "contract" (which in effect is rather a mix between a vademecum and a road map) requires commitments to keep the Web open, safe and free.
The big names ready to support the global plan to save the internet: will it be enough?
Facebook, Google, Reddit, GitHub, and Microsoft are some of the big names backing the plan, but they will be removed from the endorser list if they don't prove they are implementing the principles set out.
The points of the "Contract for the Web"
The contract is divided into nine central principles, in turn divided into three points for governments, companies and citizens.
Governments they are called to ensure that everyone can connect to the Internet, keep the entire network constantly available and respect and protect people's privacy and online data rights.
Le the companies they must make the Internet accessible and accessible, respect and protect the privacy and personal data of users and employees, and develop technologies that "enhance the best of humanity and suppress the worst".
The principles of citizens: people are asked to create content that makes the Web a valuable place, and strong online communities. Finally, the call to fight to keep the Web an open place.
"The power of the web of transform people's lives, enriching society and reducing inequalities is one of the opportunities that define our time "Said Tim Berners-Lee.
"But if we don't act now, and we act together, to save the internet and prevent it from being abused by those they want to exploit, divide and undermine, we are at risk of squandering that potential."
The Contract for the Web gives us a roadmap for building a better Web. And it's not about fighting "online hatred", nor about registering users. It is something deeper, which comes from far away and involves our nature as human beings.
