The perfect circle closes: Tim Berners Lee, the man who created the World Wide Web, has launched an action plan to save his invention.
Tim Berners-Lee states that the worst aspects that characterize the internet today threaten to cause a digital dystopia (I have spoken to you extensively about the dangers of a "Splinternet"). To save the internet he therefore decided to launch a "Contract for the Web".
Created by over 80 organizations representing governments, businesses and civil society, the “contract” (which for all intents and purposes is more of a mix between a handbook and a road map) requires commitments to keep the Web open, secure 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 supporting the plan, but they will be removed from the list of endorsers if they do not demonstrate that 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 businesses they must make the Internet reachable 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 transform people's lives, enriching society and reducing inequalities is one of the defining opportunities of our time”Said Tim Berners-Lee.
“But if we don't act now, and act together, to save the internet and prevent it from being abused by those who want to exploit, divide and undermine, we are at risk of squandering that potential.”
The Web Contract gives us a roadmap for building a better Web. And it's not about fighting "online hatred" or registering users. It is something deeper, which comes from far away and involves our nature as human beings.
