After fifteen years of work to ensure the safety and availability of the Internet, the World Wide Web Foundation has announced its closure. In a formal statement published on the organization’s website, co-founders Tim Berners-Lee, the inventor of the World Wide Web, and Rosemary Leith, explained that their mission had been partially fulfilled and it was time to shift focus to new challenges.
Established in 2009, the organization began its operations at a time when only about 20% of the global population had access to the internet. Over the course of fifteen years, this number has grown to nearly 70%. Through the efforts of the World Wide Web Foundation and similar organizations, internet access has become more affordable and widespread. However, current issues require alternative solutions, and the organization believes that other groups working on digital rights and internet accessibility can now carry the torch.
One of the major concerns for the founders is the business model of social networks, which relies on the commercialization of user data and the centralization of power within the platforms. This model, they argue, goes against Berners-Lee’s original vision of a decentralized internet space.
To address this challenge, Sir Tim plans to focus on the advancement of decentralized technologies. He is particularly interested in the Solid Protocol, which allows users to store their data in personal online storage facilities called PODS. These facilities enable users to control who can access their data and under what conditions, similar to permissions on mobile platforms.
Since 2015, Berners-Lee has been working on the development of the Solid Protocol, receiving funding of one million dollars for the project. He believes that this technology can offer a solution to the issue of corporate control over the internet and the commercialization of personal data, empowering individuals to regain control over their data and personal information.
In an open letter published in March on the 35th anniversary of the World Wide Web, Sir Tim emphasized the threats posed by centralized power on the internet and the market for personal data, especially in times of political instability and elections. He sees the Solid Protocol as a key tool in addressing these challenges by restoring people’s control over their data.
The closure of the World Wide Web Foundation is accompanied by financial struggles. In 2022, the organization reported an income of $4.08 million with expenses exceeding $4.97 million. Despite this, Tim Berners-Lee remains committed to advancing decentralized technologies in an effort to return the internet to its original free and open structure, designed around the interests of users rather than corporations.