2022 is the year when Web 3.0 starts to manifest. The decentralized technologies that have exploded in the last few years — De-Fi, Blockchain, NFTs, AR Cloud, Distributed ledgers, AI and ML, and The Metaverse — mean a move towards data decentralization and transparent, secure Internet. It still needs a lot of time and fleshing out for it to become an accepted reality. However, there are some things that we can agree on. Web 3.0 is:
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Decentralized — Web 3.0 will be owned by the people, developed for the people;
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Permissionless — anyone and everyone can get involved with a deconstruction of the restricting mechanisms of Web 2.0;
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With built-in payments — the boundless, frictionless movement of money with an emphasis on peer-to-peer trading.
Let’s look back at the previous generations and compare them with what’s next.
Web 1.0
Web 1.0 was created as a hyperlinked information system. It had a massive library of data sourced on a screen from computer systems in the network for users to browse. This phase was dominated by static websites, which were used to display some information. The vast majority of users were content consumers.
Web 2.0
If Web 1.0 consisted of a small group of individuals producing material for a bigger audience, Web 2.0 consisted of many individuals creating even more content for an expanding audience. It places more emphasis on participation and contribution; the user’s experience is everything. As a result, Web 2.0 is in charge of establishing social media, collaborations, and communities. Web 2.0 is described as “the participative social Web,” whereas Web 1.0 was referred to as “the read-only Web.”
The security of personal data is a significant obstruction in Web 2.0. Trusted institutions and tech giants take control of the data of users. These companies use algorithms that decide the information that we consume. Also, centralized power and subsequent setbacks in Web 2.0 have led to Web 3.0.
Web 3.0
Web 3.0 is the next step in the Internet’s evolution. Its most significant advantage is that it opens up and decentralizes the Internet by returning control of the web to customers. Emerging web technologies, such as blockchain, enable the new Internet to function as a peer-to-peer (P2P), trustless system, contributing to the distinction. And big data businesses and global corporations no longer share personal information or have a monopoly on power and information. From money to information, all exchanges are conducted without needing tech companies, banks, or any other middlemen. So, if Web 2.0 makes the user the product, Web 3.0 makes the user the content owner.
