By: Keaton Ross
When discussing decentralized technologies people often refer to the internet as the mecca or beginning of it all. I have heard people cite the freedom and accessibility of the internet as features that make it such, but I submit that the internet is not nearly as decentralized as it is claimed to be. In fact, I believe that every year the internet becomes more and more centralized. Across the world countries limit the usage and/or access to the internet or specific websites (currently, Facebook is restricted in China, Bangladesh and Iran to name a few). In North America, large corporations (like Google) control the pulse of the internet and gather enormous amounts of data of its users to influence their decisions. These corporations are also responsible for storing most of the internet’s information via cloud technologies or otherwise. In 2017, net neutrality was eliminated in the United States by the FCC, allowing service providers to pick favourites and promote better connectivity and speeds to whomever they choose. This allows corporate behemoths with deep pockets to garner even more control. Even the routers, networks and fibre optics that facilitates the internet’s existence are owned and monetized by someone. As such, I just do not buy the narrative that the internet is the world’s most sophisticated decentralized technology. It simply isn’t. However, individuals across the globe who agree with my stance have been attempting to change this. They want to see the power of the internet redistributed back to the people where one individual or organization cannot make wholesale changes and up-and-coming technologies can prosper.
What would it look like
The current system relies too heavily on decisions made by individuals. Whether they be government officials or executives at large corporations, their singular decisions often do not represent the will of the general population. At the very least, allowing the keys for these decisions to be made to be in the hands of a select few poses a lot of risk. A true decentralized web would leverage current and thriving technologies such as peer-to-peer sharing to ensure these “keys” are distributed amongst the people. A decentralized internet would not rely on intermediaries for individuals to communicate and share information, but rather it would be done directly and would be powered by the users themselves. Next, the use of single web site locations or addresses would be eliminated to counteract the hoarding and general “ownership” of data and information. This information would be stored on the network itself and could be catalogued for its content. Users would be able to have full control over their online identity without targeted ads, censorship or restrictions.
Who is involved
Currently, multiple technology companies having been working toward the ideal of having a fully decentralized internet. Notably, Blockstack has created a platform for users to create and run their own applications completely locally on their Blockstack browsers. Any data users create remains completely their own and is stored and encrypted on a blockchain. File sharing is again encrypted and facilitated through peer-to-peer technology. Blockstack successfully ICO’d in 2012, raising over $50 million.
IPFS (InterPlanetary File System) is another fully decentralized, peer-to-peer data distribution system that solves a lot of the problems the modern internet currently faces. Firstly, IPFS prioritizes throughput and the reliability in which it can communicate data. Like most decentralized blockchain technologies, the IPFS network is spread across a massive network of computers and nodes. What makes IPFS unique is its ability to continue to function even as nodes leave the network or fail. Additionally, IPFS is “distributed in overlay networks, which are essentially networks built on other networks”, which according to Hackernoon are extremely useful features of censor-free internet.
Finally, Storj is a cloud storage service that is stored across a network of computers as opposed to with a single entity (unlike the Apple iCloud). This spreading of data ensures full decentralization while encryption technology keeps said data safe. Storj looks to capitalize on sharing economy principles that have been successfully leveraged by preceding companies such as Uber and AirBnB by allowing excess storage space of hosts on the network to be accessed and used by others.
Risks
Unfortunately, bad actors exist in every corner of the world and a fully decentralized internet would allow these individuals to operate more covertly. Some regulations pertaining to today’s internet are absolutely positive and aim to keep people safe. Full decentralization of the internet could theoretically make life easier for individuals looking to launder money or commit fraud, amongst other illegal acts. While it is important to note the potential uptick in ease, the possibility that these individuals are already equipped to commit such cyber-crimes under current regulations does exist.
Final Thoughts
While we have a long way to go before the web is fully decentralized, I believe we are well on our way to correcting the recent trend of centralization of the digital world. While individually Blockstack, IPFS and Storj may not provide the full, holistic answer to achieving this goal, they solve a lot of ongoing issues together, in some capacity. Privacy, censorship and ownership have been extreme hot-button topics as of late and I think it is only a matter of time until we, as a society, take the final plunge into decentralization. If done properly, I think we will also be better for it.
References
https://hackernoon.com/a-beginners-guide-to-ipfs-20673fedd3f
Strategy in the Age of Decentralization 