Can web 3.0 solve the problems of web 2.0?

The web has come quite far since web 1.0 in 1989 until its gradual replacement with the emergence of web 2.0 in 2005. Web 3.0 is currently well underway. Businesses hold our data and can use it to be commercialised and used to manipulate public opinion.

Web 3.0 will solve these issues, return content rights to authors and build a new digital economy. Web 3.0, at its core, embraces automation, artificial intelligence, machine learning and blockchain technology, which are reputable for transparency, security, and their immutable nature.

But how did we get here, and will web 3.0 solve the problems of web 2.0?

The road to web 3.0

Web 1.0 offered internet users the ability to search static websites for information. ‘Surfing the internet’ entered our lexicon as we spent more time browsing online.

There were no algorithms, no suggested content, no ecommerce carts to check out with, only search and read-only online content. The content was highly informative and not engaging or entertaining.

There were certainly no comments sections, views or 'likes.' Now, this would be termed a legacy website, but this was revolutionary back in the Web 1.0 period of 1989-2005.

Main characteristics of the web 1.0 internet

The period from 1989 to 2005
Websites were static and read-only
There was no interaction, engagement or automation
Minimal user content creation and input
Website owners published content to be read

By the time web 2.0 came along, its purpose began by building on web 1.0's limitations.

Web 2.0 added additional features, which is the web version we use today.

The like, share, and comment buttons on social media and websites today are examples of features under web 2.0. Web 2.0 is more dynamic, unlike a static web 1.0.

Users cannot only search but also engage, interact and connect. Platforms created algorithms to aid us in sifting through pages. Relevancy to our search intent became paramount. Users can pay online with their debit and credit cards in just a few clicks.

Furthermore, we became web creators - creating content that would entertain others and provide business opportunities. Think of articles on LinkedIn or YouTube and TikTok videos of social media influencers.

Main characteristics of the web 2.0 internet

From 2005 to present
The internet allows users to create their content
Large corporations have become innovative trendsetters.
Targeted advertising as user data is an advertising commodity.
Increased security risks and a lack of privacy
Social functions are integral to users' lives
Users have little to no control over their data ownership or use.
Platform owners decide what is appropriate content.
Information stored on single servers and issued on demand

The main differences between web 1.0 & web 2.0

The main differences between web 1.0 and web 2.0 are the cloud-based applications like Google Docs and Microsoft Exchange and social media apps like Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube and TikTok.

These applications housed the new features, and they kept improving these features as consumer demands changed. However, these applications serve as a centralised guardian.

However, these guardians of our data can collect and use users' data without their permission. It is the price you pay to use their centralised platforms. Furthermore, if you fall foul of their standards, you can be banned from using their platforms. If a former President of the United States can be banned on Twitter and Facebook, how much more you?

Rather than guardians of our data, they should be seen as overlords of the platforms. They are not only open to hacks, but they also use our data to serve their own purposes.

The personalised data these platforms harvest from us makes us the product. And subsequently, we are bombarded with advertisements tailored from our personalised data in the hope that you buy those products and services. It's how these centralised platforms make revenue, and in return, you are free to use their services.

If you understand this, you will understand the main concept behind web 3.0.

Web 3.0 explained

Web 3.0 aims to create a decentralised worldwide web where every individual will be in control of their data.

Big companies, including Facebook, TikTok and Twitter, wouldn't have access to your data without your consent. Instead of using these applications by giving up your data, web 3.0 will encourage users to earn as they use them.

The web 3.0 evolution will impact all aspects of human interaction because it leverages the power of blockchain technology to preserve ledger records that are accessible to everyone. Thus, ensuring they cannot be destroyed or altered by anyone.

Web 3.0 also leverages machine learning and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to instruct algorithms to curate content personalised to each individual.

Web 2.0 bots like Siri, Alexa, Cortana and Google Assistant do this, but they are limited.

Web 2.0 bots cannot read emotions yet through the written word. So, all these: blockchain technology, AI, machine learning, and the Internet of Things (IoT) will work complimentary to foster a better user experience in web 3.0.

How web 2.0 is failing us and why web 3.0 is the answer

Organisations and their data and ideas currently dominate the internet. Personal data is commercialised, and their algorithms easily manipulate public opinion. These lead to the following concerns for web 2.0 users.

Monopoly, censorship and control. 90% of websites are hosted by just a handful of companies that support Facebook, Twitter, Airbnb, Uber, Reddit, and Netflix. If they choose to, they can block platforms and users from using their services.
Content ownership. Service providers own everything a content creator says and posts — including profile data, images, publications, and even revenue share. Take Medium as an example, where articles are published to drive subscribers' attention and bring profits to 'A Medium Corporation.'
Threat of hacking. Data (billions of records) created by different owners reside in centralised storage that criminals can hack into or commit fraud. Gartner's research states that $172 billion was spent managing cyber security and mitigating threats in 2022. This number will only keep growing as the number of data hacks increases.
Misinformation. The web 2.0 internet has led to an increase in misformation that has been manipulated worldwide by users and governments to influence web 2.0 users. This has polarised society and led to criminal and destructive opportunities for others to gain at the expense of others, whether financial, physical or mental harm. Think of stolen credit card details, manipulated elections, and even influencers and advertisers targeting groups to buy their products.

Web 3.0 will solve these issues, return content rights to authors, provide more secure online tools, decentralise monopolies and thus build a new, more transparent digital economy.

Web 3.0 — don't trust people, trust blockchain

Using blockchain technology to manage, will require a public decentralised digital registry of who owns what on the network: money, asset ownership, real estate, or medical records. Each registry entry will link to the previous entry so that they are all connected as a chain and cannot be faked or counterfeited.

To add a new record, miners are needed. Miners store copies of the blockchain on computers to prevent data loss; to verify and confirm transactions by solving mathematical problems. To solve these problems, they are rewarded.

There is no singular, central point of trust in this ecosystem. Each user follows one rule, which is not to trust anybody. They only verify the data they have obtained.

What are the benefits of decentralising the internet?

The case for decentralising the internet is compelling, and the most prominent benefits of decentralisation include:

Data Ownership

Typically, only the site owner or webmaster could contribute content to a site on legacy websites. On Web 2.0, users can create their publications on microblogging sites like Twitter.

However, everything the user (content creator) does on the platform is the website itself. Even the photos you upload to Facebook are not 'yours' per se. They are now the property of Facebook unless you delete them. On a decentralised internet, users will be able to trade their data assets without intermediaries, who usually dictate their own rules and possibly charge fees for transactions.

Every person will have a wallet
All the data the wallet account creates will be an asset in that wallet
The wallet account can transfer assets to a different account without an intermediary through blockchain

After smart contracts have checked that both 'wallet accounts' have satisfied the agreement terms, a blockchain transaction is completed. For instance, if Artur sent his NFT, as promised to Keirin, he would receive the agreed reward.

Security & privacy

Web 3.0 will be more secure and private than web 2.0. Hackers and criminals will find it more challenging to penetrate the internet and create elaborate scams. Because each transaction must be agreed together on the blockchain. If not, it will be revoked and even tracked if they attempt to do so.

It will also be difficult for criminal hackers to fully control the organisation without centralisation. However, it should be noted that blockchain platforms could suffer some impacts, such as 51% attacks, but organisations can quickly patch most applications and blockchain platforms.

Decentralised organisations

Companies can benefit from decentralisation. If they create a decentralised autonomous organisation (DAO), they can specify conditions that must be met to receive payment. Companies will write these terms as smart contracts on a blockchain:

When the borrower meets the criteria of the bank, they receive a loan
When an employee completes their work, they receive financial remuneration.
When a client gets the service, the company receives payment.

Distributed systems are less prone to service interruptions

Since no central organisation is performing operations, distributed denial of service (DDOS) or other service failures cannot affect the system. With Web 3.0, users can share data and critical services without worrying about service interruption, like financial services and supply chains.

Main differences between web 2.0 & web 3.0

The key differences between Web 2.0 and Web 3.0 are;

Centralisation v decentralisation problem. In Web 3.0, people can send their transactions via a decentralised blockchain like Ethereum. On web 2.0, people need to use a centralised platform like banks or Fintechs, with all web 2.0 applications controlled by centralised organisations.
Ownership of information, identity, data and your digital assets. Web 3.0 will allow people to own and control their identity, data, and digital assets. Nobody will be able to change their digital assets because they are immutable. However, in web 2.0, money is controlled by banks and Fintechs. User identity and data are owned by huge businesses that use them and sell them to third parties without your permission.
Technology that powers both webs. Web 2.0 uses programming languages including CSS3, HTML5, PHP and JavaScript, whilst web 3.0 will be powered by artificial intelligence, machine learning, Blockchain technology, and the Internet of Things. Web 3.0 programming languages include Solidity, Python, Rust, C++ and GoLang.

How will web 3.0 be implemented?

The rollout of Web 3.0 won’t be instantaneous, instead, we will be moving through a sort of web 2.5 phase which will culminate in the creation of web 3.0. Creating an ecosystem that can end the monopoly of the big tech companies and reimagine how we interact with the internet is not a straightforward or simple undertaking. Facebook's rebranding as Meta even suggests that legacy companies have identified the risks of not migrating to web 3.0 as they seek to maintain their level of influence and control for as long as possible.

It will require considerable resources and infrastructure - and yet, for the 7th quarter in a row, funding for blockchain companies increased; the last quarter had a record investment of $9.2 billion.

Whilst nobody is sure when we will see a fully-fledged web 3.0, many online communities are working on different projects to bring web 3.0 to life.

Web 3.0 will bring new levels of internet trust

Despite the hype and sneering at Web 3.0, if you consider the trajectory from web1.0 - web2.0, you will realise that the latter builds on the limitations of the former. In that same way, web 3.0 is doing this now - building on the limitations of web 2.0, and many applications focused on web 3.0 are rolled out by the day in various sectors.

Let's examine the finance industry. The future currency regarding finance are cryptocurrencies that have their root in the blockchain technology that powers web 3.0. Now people send money cross-border more than ever without any centralised provider. Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple and a host of others have already become digital asset use cases that bring web 3.0 solutions to the internet.

Other sectors are currently under development; however, it will only be a matter of time before they are vying to take over from their web 2.0 counterparts, as users seek more trust and security in their data.

It was the same trust in centralised exchanges that made web 2.0 thrive. This trust is what is powering web 3.0, not in any centralised platform but in an unalterable entity that holds a permanent record of transactions.

That trust is in blockchain technology.

Resources you'll love: