Tim Berners-Lee, the creator of the World Wide Web, has unveiled a new start-up named Inrupt, designed to create a decentralised internet where corporations no longer control user data.
In a detailed blog post, Berners-Lee outlined that the web has evolved into a platform where users exchange their data for products and services from major internet companies. To address this issue, he has been developing an open-source platform called Solid in collaboration with researchers at MIT. Solid aims to enable users to choose where their data is stored and who can access it.
The traditional method of data storage involves various companies like Facebook, Twitter, and Microsoft holding segments of user data. Solid proposes a shift to a more user-centric model. Users will be able to store their data in personal online data stores or ‘pods’, which can be hosted on any cloud service, server, or other platform. This method ensures users have control over their data and can determine which applications have access to it.
Berners-Lee has been a vocal critic of technology giants owning user data. He stated, ‘I’ve always believed the web is for everyone. That’s why I and others fight fiercely to protect it. The changes we’ve managed to bring have created a better and more connected world. But for all the good we’ve achieved, the web has evolved into an engine of inequity and division; swayed by powerful forces who use it for their own agendas.’
Solid users will be able to keep their data on the cloud service, server, or another platform in personal online data stores (‘pods’), rather than on centralised servers. The platform encourages a vision of these pods as akin to private websites.
The open-source nature of Solid will allow personal data to be transferred easily between applications and locations while providing enhanced control and privacy. Inrupt represents the first commercial venture stemming from the Solid project, with Berners-Lee partnering with John Bruce, who previously served as CEO of the cyber security company Resilient, and Quickcomm.
John Bruce announced, ‘Today, I am proud to announce my next venture, Inrupt. Partnering with Sir Tim Berners-Lee, we are resetting the balance of power on the web and reigniting its true potential.’
Berners-Lee described Inrupt’s role as infrastructure supportive of Solid, with the goal to provide commercial energy and an ecosystem to uphold the integrity and quality of the new web built on Solid. ‘Inrupt will be the infrastructure allowing Solid to flourish. Its mission is to provide commercial energy and an ecosystem to help protect the integrity and quality of the new web built on Solid,’ said Berners-Lee. ‘Inrupt’s success is totally aligned to Solid’s success.’
Developers can already begin working on decentralised applications with tools available on the Inrupt site.
Inrupt’s launch signals a pivotal move towards decentralising the web, giving users more control over their data and reducing the power held by major corporations. With Berners-Lee’s vision and expertise, this initiative aims to foster a more equitable internet.