The Internet’s Shift from Open Garden to Walled Garden: Can Web3 Reverse the Trend?
The internet, once envisioned by Tim Berners-Lee as an open and accessible digital information system, has taken a drastic turn. Instead of being a virtual space where everyone has equal opportunities to collaborate, share, and learn, it has become a battleground for control and profit. The dream of a free and open internet has shifted, and it’s now up to Web3 to revive it.
The Web3 Promise: Decentralized Apps and Open Communication
Web3, powered by decentralized apps (DAPPS), promises to bring back the idea of a permitted space for free and open communication. However, the irony lies in the fact that most DAPPS still rely on centralized infrastructure and data sources. This creates a single point of failure, affecting the safety and integrity of the entire ecosystem. The Solana incident is a prime example of this vulnerability.
The Weakness of Centralized Infrastructure
Developers often build the front end of DAPPS with a decentralized interface but rely on centralized data infrastructure for backend support. This makes them susceptible to individual point failures and censorship, leading to global failures and downtimes. The use of centralized data hosting platforms and cloud providers like Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure can interrupt seamless DAPP usage.
A notable example is Metamask, a decentralized wallet that relies on centralized technologies like Infura for access to Ethereum. When Infura blocked access to US-sanctioned countries in 2022, Metamask users were temporarily unable to access their wallets from certain regions. Similarly, Solana and Polygon users experienced failures due to the overload of central RPCs during high network traffic.
The Need for a Decentralized DAPP Ecosystem
DAPPS without a decentralized stack are, in essence, an oxymoron. Instead of relying on centralized infrastructure, DAPPS should utilize open-source solutions like IPFS, Filecoin, or ARWEAVE. These protocols offer tamper-proof, distributed storage with high availability and protection against random failures.
By using decentralized infrastructure, DAPPS can operate with independent node operators, distributing data queries across the network and eliminating single points of failure. This ensures that DAPPS run smoothly even when multiple nodes are offline, keeping the network accessible without downtime.
Decentralized Infrastructure: The Key to a Robust Ecosystem
The decentralized infrastructure eliminates the dependence on intermediaries that control data flows. Instead, DAPPS can connect to data, service providers, and users in an integrated, open-source system. The Pocket Network’s Shannon upgrade has created the first truly decentralized Open API network, allowing each DAPP to access the information it needs without relying on central or unique units.
Decentralized social networks like Bluesky and the AT protocol do not depend on centralized RPCs, instead working with decentralized RPCs to access open data. Similarly, DeFi protocols that use Chainlink do not have to rely on centralized APIs to obtain real-time on-chain price data.
Reclaiming the Vision of an Open Internet
Tim Berners-Lee’s vision of an open internet, where communication is free and uncontrolled, is being reconciled with Satoshi Nakamoto’s idea of a decentralized peer-to-peer exchange system. Although the crypto space has become prone to casino-like speculation, the original idea of a decentralized system is still being built upon by Web3 innovators.
Decentralized infrastructure protocols for open-source data are emerging as a new standard for seamless data access, training AI models, and supporting unstoppable DAPP usage. With an open data market worth $350 billion, it’s essential to wrest control from centralized providers and distribute it to decentralized operators.
In conclusion, for crypto, AI, and other emerging technologies to thrive, they must reject the Web2 business model and embrace the OG vision of the internet, now anchored in the Web3 paradigm. The shift to a decentralized infrastructure, free from single points of failure, is crucial for establishing a resilient and reliable internet.
