Summary

Although the current Internet Web2 has millions of users, it is not perfect. Issues such as data ownership, censorship and security continue to plague Web2, thus giving rise to the concept of a new and improved version of the Internet - Web3. The future Web3 seeks technologies such as blockchain, artificial intelligence (AI), and augmented reality (AR). Ideally, at its core, Web3 will provide benefits such as data ownership and confidentiality. Many people have been claiming that Web3 is an improved version of Web2, so what exactly is it and is it better than Web2?

Introduction

The World Wide Web is also referred to as the Internet or the Internet, since Web1 Since its introduction, earth-shaking changes have taken place. As technology continues to advance and user needs continue to evolve, it is only natural that the network will change accordingly.

Content consumption and simple interaction can be carried out through Web1. The rapid development of smartphones and mobile Internet access has promoted the formation of Web2 to a certain extent, which allows users to consume and create their own content. Now, the new concept of the future network known as Web3 has emerged. This new iteration of the internet promises not only to allow users to consume and create content and data, but also to own it.

A brief history of network development

Although the Internet has experienced many changes over the years, its two main stages can be divided into Web1 and Web2.

Web1

Web1 Also known as Web 1.0, it is the original Internet. HTML was the web formatting language of the time, and Web1 consisted of static HTML pages that displayed information online. Web1 runs on a fully decentralized infrastructure, allowing anyone to host servers, build applications, and publish information on the Internet without censorship by regulators. Web1 users can search for information online through a web browser.

Disadvantages of Web1

The fly in the ointment is People cannot change the message, and there are few opportunities to interact with others. User communication can only take place through simple chat tools and forums. Therefore, when users interact with Web1, they mainly act as observers rather than participants.

Web2

With Unlike Web1, the current iteration of the internet is centralized, focused on content creation, and with much of that content monopolized by large, successful tech companies.

In the late 1990s, databases, server-side processing, forms, and social media came together to form a more interactive Internet Web2, also known as Web2.0. That’s the current version of the internet, which is a platform for content creation. Whether you're an aspiring writer, photographer or influencer, you can easily create and showcase your work with Web2.

Service providers such as WordPress and Tumblr provide people with content creation platforms, while social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter Media company that enables people to connect and communicate with anyone, anywhere in the world. Additionally, the proliferation of mobile internet access and smartphones has made it easy for anyone to consume content.

Web2-centric companies have benefited from this Internet revolution. In addition to profits, they have also built a huge user database. Large companies like Google and Facebook acquire smaller companies to form centralized global networks of users and user data.

Disadvantages of Web2

After the emergence of Web2, large Internet companies discovered that they could use users' data to keep users in their respective ecosystems. They take steps, such as creating targeted ads for consumers or blocking communication between different platforms, that make users more inclined to continue using their services.

In recent years, many netizens have begun to pay attention to ethical issues such as censorship, data tracking, and data ownership. Ironically, the user data seems to belong to the company in Web2, not the users themselves. There have been cases of unfair data control. The user unknowingly violated the platform's internal community guidelines, resulting in the user's account being closed. In the 2010s, there were reports that Facebook failed to protect user data, and its collection of personal data without user consent sparked global outrage.

To solve these problems, some people have proposed solutions that combine the advantages of Web1 and Web2: decentralization and users participate. Although the solution is not yet concrete, the core concepts of this version of the Internet (also known as Web3) have largely taken shape.

What is Web3?

If we sort out the current problems of Web2, we will find that it is a logical approach to improve the Internet for users through Web3. Web3 aims to dilute the power of large web companies by leveraging peer-to-peer (C2C) technologies such as blockchain, virtual reality (VR), Internet of Things (IoT) and open source software. Users are expected to take back ownership of content and data through decentralization.

Main features of Web3

Decentralization: Because decentralization aims to solve the root cause of Web2 problems, namely centralization, decentralization has undoubtedly become a key factor in the success of Web3. In addition to giving control of data back to users, companies must pay to access users' data. Decentralization allows anyone to make native cryptocurrency payments without the expensive intermediaries required by traditional Web2 payment infrastructure.

Permissionless: Anyone can interact freely with others in Web3 without It is several large entities that control participation or prohibit inter-platform communication.

Detrust: As a network based on Web3, users only need to trust Web3 itself, and no longer need to trust Anything else can participate.

The realization of these ideals will be largely supported by blockchain and cryptocurrency.

Potential advantages of Web3

Improved data security

The data held by tech giants in centralized databases is vulnerable because hackers only need to access one system to compromise users' data security. Storing private information can be more secure when data is stored and managed with decentralized solutions.

True data ownership

One of the focuses of Web3 is data ownership. Users will be able to take back control of the data that belongs to them and even monetize the data if they wish.

Truth control

Power is not centralized and users are not unfairly censored. Without censorship rights or the ability to remove specific content, it becomes increasingly difficult for large companies to control the presentation of any disclosure.

Web3 also has some potential benefits over Web1 and Web2.

Financial Freedom

Web3 empowers users by allowing them to consume, create and own their content and data. Web3 is based on blockchain technology, so users will be able to easily access various ecosystems promoting decentralized finance (DeFi) and other tools to achieve financial freedom.

Social interaction enhancement

Like Web1 and Like Web2, Web3 will continue to integrate various technologies that emerge after blockchain technology. For example, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI) can add digital elements to Web3 applications and enhance online social interaction.

A typical example is the Metaverse. The Metaverse is a virtual 3D world where users can use virtual avatars to explore the Metaverse. Users can socialize online, purchase virtual land, play games, and even work remotely through immersive spaces like the Metaverse.

Summary

The relationship between Web2 and Web3 is similar to the long-standing relationship between centralized networks and decentralized networks. Web3 has not yet been implemented, and its advantages over Web2 are up for debate. However, Web3 has a decentralized infrastructure that is expected to solve the data scandal of Web2 and return control to users.