- Internet decentralization takes the spotlight at ACM CoNEXT 2024.
- Experts discuss solutions to combat Internet centralization trends.
What happened: Decentralization takes centre stage at DIN workshop
The Workshop on the Decentralization of the Internet (DIN), held at ACM CoNEXT 2024, brought together experts from diverse fields to tackle pressing issues of Internet centralization.
Hosted by the Internet Research Task Force’s (IRTF) Decentralization of the Internet Research Group (DINRG), this event examined how consolidation of services and infrastructure undermines core Internet principles like user-centricity and permissionless innovation.
Keynotes included notable voices like Cory Doctorow, who passionately critiqued the process of “enshittification,” where platforms subtly erode user autonomy for profit. His solutions ranged from restoring the end-to-end principle to enabling users to exit platforms seamlessly.
Michael Karanicolas highlighted governance challenges in decentralised networks, emphasising intentional frameworks for future platforms. Attendees also explored decentralised DNS technologies and direct user communication methods during technical sessions and an interactive panel discussion featuring notable panellists such as Paul Mockapetris and Dan Massey.
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Why it’s important
The centralisation of the Internet goes beyond being a technical issue; it carries profound economic and societal implications that affect users globally. Centralised platforms often prioritise profit over openness and accessibility, stifling innovation, limiting user autonomy, and raising critical concerns about data privacy and security.
This consolidation not only restricts competition but also diminishes the Internet’s foundational principles of permissionless innovation and user-centricity.
The DIN workshop at ACM CoNEXT 2024 brought essential attention to these pressing issues while showcasing actionable solutions aimed at reversing this trend. Notable proposals, such as decentralised DNS systems, seek to empower users by giving them greater control over their identities and enabling secure, direct communication without reliance on third-party platforms.
As regulatory frameworks and technological landscapes continue to evolve, forums like these are pivotal in shaping the future of the Internet. By fostering collaboration across academia, policy-making, and digital rights advocacy, this workshop highlighted the critical importance of a united effort to protect the Internet’s open and decentralised nature for future generations.
