Built for Universities
1990 - 2001
Static HTML pages served from servers. Users could only consume content, not create or interact with it.
Built for Data Brokers
2001 - 2015
Interactive, user-generated content platforms. Users became both consumers and creators.
Built for AI
2015 - Present
Machine-readable data and AI-powered systems, with blockchain technology.
Built for People
Web 4.0 represents the next evolution: an independent internet that operates without reliance on centralized infrastructure, corporate control, or surveillance capitalism. It's an internet of, by, and for the people.
Peer-to-peer connections that create resilient networks without central points of control or failure, using long-range, low-power wireless communication for remote connectivity and community-run infrastructure.
Future-proof encryption that protects against quantum computing attacks
Data Sovereignty: People own their data completely. No collection, tracking, or harvesting occurs.
Local First: All processing happens on the operator's device. Information never leaves their control.
Privacy by Design: Privacy is a fundamental design principle, not an afterthought. Built from the ground up with no surveillance.
Operator Independence: No corporate overlords. Networks are governed by operators, not shareholders.
Freedom of Expression: Voices cannot be silenced by algorithms or corporate policies.
Don't be evil.
People own their data, devices, and digital identity. No corporation can take away access or control information. Humans are the sovereigns of their digital lives. Operators have the right to repair, modify, and upgrade their devices and infrastructure with no planned obsolescence or artificial restrictions.
People, not Users: Participants are active operators of the network, not passive consumers. Every participant contributes to infrastructure, governance, and evolution while technology serves humanity through systems that prioritize human welfare over profit and surveillance.
Independent networks that operate without central authorities, distributing power and control across all participants. No single point of failure or control exists, with seamless interoperability enabling diverse communities to collaborate while maintaining complete autonomy and sovereignty.
AI systems are optional tools that enhance rather than replace human decision-making, with all processing happening locally on the operator's device. No data leaves their control, no collection or surveillance occurs, and local processing is inherently more efficient and environmentally friendly than distant cloud deployments.
All network protocols and standards are open source and publicly documented, ensuring interoperability, transparency, and community-driven development. No proprietary protocols or vendor lock-in, with all specifications freely available for inspection, implementation, and improvement by any operator.
Hardware systems should be designed to continue functioning even when individual components fail. Devices maintain core functionality through redundant systems, backup components, and fail-safe mechanisms that ensure operation continues even as parts degrade or fail. No planned obsolescence - devices are built to last and be repairable rather than designed to become obsolete.
J.C.R. Licklider, W. Clark - April 1962
J.C.R. Licklider, R. Taylor - April 1968
Satoshi Nakamoto - October 31, 2008