Web 1.0
Web1, also known as Web 1.0, is the original Internet. It consisted of pages using static HTML – the web’s formatting language at the time – that displayed information online. Web1 ran on a completely decentralized infrastructure—anyone could host a server, build applications, and publish information on the Internet without any gatekeepers censoring them. The users of Web1 could search for information on the web via web browsers.
The disadvantages of Web1
Unfortunately, there was no way for users to change information and there were few opportunities for interaction with others. Users could only communicate via simple chat programs and forums. Therefore, the users interacted with Web1 mainly as observers and not as participants.
Web 2.0
Unlike Web1, the current edition of the Internet is centralized, focused on content creation, and largely monopolized by large, successful technology companies.
In the late 1990s, databases, server-side processing, forms, and social media combined to form a more interactive Internet known as Web2 or Web2.0. This is the current version of the internet – a playground for content creation. Whether you’re an aspiring writer, photographer or influencer, you can easily create and showcase your work to the Web2 world.
Service providers like WordPress and Tumblr offer people a platform to create content, while social media companies like Facebook and Twitter allow people to connect and communicate with anyone, anywhere in the world. In addition, mobile internet access and the widespread use of smartphones allow anyone to easily consume content.
Web2-centric businesses have reaped the benefits of this Internet revolution. In addition to profits, the companies have also built a large database of users. Larger companies like Google and Facebook have bought up smaller companies and gathered a central and global network of users and their data.
The disadvantages of Web 2.0
Since the advent of Web2, major Internet companies have realized that they can use user data to keep them in their respective ecosystems. By producing targeted ads for consumers or preventing cross-platform communication, users are often inclined to continue using these services.
In recent years, ethical issues such as censorship, data tracking and data ownership have attracted the attention of many internet users. Ironically, user data appears to belong to the companies in Web2, rather than the users themselves. We’ve seen cases of unfair data control, where users have had their accounts closed after unknowingly violating a platform’s internal community rules. In the 2010s, it was discovered that Facebook did not protect its users’ data, which caused violent outrage over the personal data collected without users’ consent around the world.
To address these issues, some have proposed a solution that combines the advantages of Web1 and Web2: decentralization and user participation. Although not concrete, the basic concepts of this version of the Internet, known as Web3, have been largely defined.
What is Web 3.0?
Looking at the current problems with Web2, Web3 is the next logical step to improve the Internet for users. By leveraging peer-to-peer (P2P) technologies such as the blockchain, virtual reality (VR), the Internet of Things/IoT, and open source software, Web3 aims to dilute the power of the massive Web2 companies. With decentralization, users can hopefully take back control of their content and ownership of their data.
Important features of Web 3.0
Decentralized: as it is meant to address the root of the Web2 problem, i.e. centralization, decentralization is of course a critical factor for Web3’s success. In addition to giving back control over users’ data, companies must pay to access their data. The decentralization would make native crypto payments available to everyone and eliminate the need for the expensive middlemen in the traditional payment infrastructure on Web2.
Permission-free: instead of a few large entities controlling participation or prohibiting cross-platform communication, anyone can freely interact with others in Web3.
Trustless: the network on which Web3 is based would allow users to participate without trusting anything other than the network itself.
These ideals will be largely supported by the blockchain and crypto.
Potential benefits of Web 3.0
Increased data security
Data held by the tech giants in centralized databases is vulnerable, as hackers only need to access a single system to hack user data. With decentralized solutions for storing and managing data, private information can be kept more securely.
Real ownership of data
One of the areas of focus for Web3 is data ownership, where users will be able to regain control of their data – and even monetize their data if they want to.
Truth check
Without a central power, users will not be able to be subjected to unfair censorship. Without the power of censorship or the ability to delete specific content, it becomes much more difficult for large companies to control how topics are covered.
There are other potential advantages that make Web3 superior to its predecessors.
Economic freedom
Web3 will empower users by allowing them to consume, create and own their content and data. And since Web3 is based on blockchain technology, users will be able to easily access ecosystems that facilitate decentralized finance (DeFi) and other tools to achieve financial freedom.
Improved social interactions
Like its predecessors, Web3 will continue to incorporate technologies emerging with blockchain technology. For example, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and artificial intelligence (AI) can add digital elements to Web3 applications to enhance online social interactions.
We already see such an example in the form of the metaverse, which is a virtual 3D universe that users can explore with avatars. Through complete worlds like the metaverse, users can socialize online, buy virtual land, play games, and even work remotely.
Summary
Web2 vs Web3 can be seen as a variant of the age-old debate between centralization and decentralization. As Web3 has yet to materialize, opinions differ on its alleged superiority over Web2. But with its decentralized infrastructure, Web3 could potentially address the data-related scandals we’ve seen in Web2 and return control to users.
