Breaking Free from Closed Systems

Exploring the Benefits of an Open Web

“By virtue of the way has organized its technological base, contemporary industrial society tends to be totalitarian”-Herbert Marcuse

In 1964, critical theorist Herbert Marcuse published “The One-dimensional Man”, arguing that technology is not a neutral tool, but rather fundamentally intertwined with a specific ideology. According to Marcuse, the way technology is shaped reflects the dominant world-view, leading to a reinforcement of forms of control and domination in society. This domination is achieved through the control and manipulation of information, the commodification of human experience, and the creation of false needs and desires that perpetuate the system of production and consumption.

Technology plays a crucial role in shaping social relations by enabling certain possibilities while ignoring others. Therefore, it is essential to examine how technology is organized in society and identify the underlying values it promotes. Only then can we truly harness the power of technology rather than being carried away by it.

The first reflection we want to offer in this direction is about the Open Web, a new vision for the Internet that stresses the importance of cooperation, interoperability, and users’ empowerment. In the early 2000 the term “Open Web” started to gain popularity, as a reaction to the growth of proprietary and gated platforms. The discourse of an Open Web has kept gaining momentum with the rise of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology as the range of benefits it offers began to manifest. So, let’s get into this discussion!

What is wrong with the Closed Web?

Before we enter into a discussion on the Open Web and what it stands for, we first need to understand what its opposite is, that is a closed and proprietary Internet. The opposite of the Open Web is a closed or controlled web, a type of internet that is restricted, centralized, and governed by a small group of entities or organizations. In short, the kind of Internet that we have all been accustomed to.

The key characteristics of a “Closed Web” include:

1. Proprietary Standards: Use proprietary standards and technologies that are controlled by a small group of entities, limiting developers’ ability as well as users to innovate through collaboration.
2. Limited Access: A closed web restricts access to information and services, potentially creating a digital divide between those who have access and those who do not. An example of this are paywalls, restricted content, and limited access to certain web pages or services.
3. Centralized Control: A closed web is controlled by a small group of entities, namely, large corporations and/or governments, who can exert control over what content is allowed and who can access it.
4. Lack of Privacy, and therefore, Security: Privacy and security are interlinked, it follows that in a system where data is being stored in a centralized database controlled and monitored, users are giving up control over their personal information and potentially exposing themselves to security threads.

It becomes apparent that a Closed Web is not only stifling innovation, but it is also a powerful means of control. Authors like Shoshana Zuboff, and Julian Assange, Danielle Citron, as well as any cypherpunk author, have pointed out how the structural problems that these technologies give rise too, leading to privacy violations and manipulation, exposing users to great risks, both materially and psychologically.

What is the Open Web about?

Now that we have defined what the Closed Web is, it becomes easier to understand what the Open Web is about. As the name suggests, it stands in opposition to the way the Closed Web is structures and is informed by a very different set of principles:

1. Open Standards: The Open Web relies on open standards that ensure interoperability between different systems and technologies. This promotes collaboration and innovation by making it easier for developers to create and share new ideas.
2. Net Neutrality: The Open Web supports net neutrality, which ensures that all internet traffic is treated equally without discrimination or preferential treatment. This ensures that everyone has equal access to information and services on the internet.
3. Accessibility: The Open Web aims to ensure that the internet is accessible to everyone, regardless of their abilities or the technology they use. This includes ensuring that websites and applications are designed with accessibility in mind and that they are compatible with a wide range of devices.
4. Privacy and Security: The Open Web promotes privacy and security by protecting users’ personal information and ensuring that their online activities are not monitored or exploited without their consent.
5. Open Source: The Open Web supports the use of open-source technology, which allows anyone to use, modify, and distribute software freely. This encourages collaboration and innovation, enhances security, and helps to ensure that technology is accessible and affordable to everyone.

These principles are certainly attainable, and many organizations and individuals are already working to promote them. We are still at the early steps and many questions remain unanswered –Is the Open Web going to provide a better standard when it comes to cybersecurity? Will it be able to provide a real alternative to big tech? While there is still much thought that should go into this, it is important to understand and demand that the technologies that are being developed for us users comply with and respect our values. If we want technology to empower us, then we need to put some thought into these issues and dive right into these important debates!