Future Development of Identity in the Digital World: Web 3.0
Web 3.0, the third generation of the internet, is a proposed evolution aiming to empower users by giving them control over their data, money, and identities through a decentralized system. This new iteration of the internet is being developed by various IT companies, including those working on blockchain technology.
A Departure from Web 1.0 and Web 2.0
Web 3.0 distinguishes itself significantly from its predecessors, Web 1.0 and Web 2.0. While Web 1.0 was a static, read-only web, and Web 2.0 enabled interactive, user-generated content, Web 3.0 emphasizes decentralization, user control, enhanced privacy, and intelligent data processing.
| Aspect | Web 1.0 | Web 2.0 | Web 3.0 | |---------------------|---------------------------------|-------------------------------------|-----------------------------------| | Definition | Static pages, limited interactivity | Interactive, user-generated content (social media, blogs). Platforms control data. | Decentralized, user-controlled web emphasizing privacy, interoperability, and intelligent data. | | Content Type | Static pages, limited interactivity | Dynamic content, social networking, collaboration | Semantic web, AI-driven, personalized, 3D graphics, augmented reality | | Data Control | Centralized by website owners | Centralized by platforms (e.g., Google, Facebook) | Decentralized; users own and control their data/identity | | Technology | HTML, HTTP, simple hyperlinks | AJAX, Rich Internet Applications, APIs, cloud computing | Blockchain, distributed ledger technology (DLT), smart contracts, AI, semantic web | | Access & Authority| Read-only, limited interaction | Read-write, platforms have authority and store data | Read-write-own, permissionless, no central authority, peer-to-peer interactions | | Privacy | Minimal considerations | Limited; often compromised by central platforms | Enhanced privacy via encryption and user control over data | | Interoperability | Low | Moderate | High interoperability across platforms and ecosystems | | Examples | Personal homepages, static websites | Facebook, YouTube, Wikipedia | Ethereum, decentralized apps (dApps), IPFS |
Key Characteristics of Web 3.0
Web 3.0 brings several key characteristics to the table:
- Decentralization: Data is distributed across a network of nodes, eliminating central control by corporations or governments, increasing censorship resistance.
- User Ownership and Control: Users fully own their data, digital identities, and assets, managing them via cryptographic wallets without intermediaries.
- Blockchain & Distributed Ledger Technology: Ensures transparency, immutability, and secure transactions, enabling trustless interactions and smart contracts that automate agreements without middlemen.
- Semantic Web: Machines understand and process the meaning of information, enabling better data connectivity and intelligent responses.
- Artificial Intelligence (AI): Applied to provide personalized content, automate processes, and enhance search and analytics capabilities.
- Permissionless and Open Access: Anyone can participate without gatekeepers, and protocols/code are transparent and auditable.
- Interoperability: Web 3.0 platforms and applications seamlessly interact across ecosystems.
- Enhanced Privacy: Advanced encryption techniques give users greater control over data sharing and identity.
- 3D Graphics and Immersive Technologies: Use of 3D graphics, virtual and augmented reality to create rich user experiences.
Soulbound Tokens (SBTs) and Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI)
Soulbound Tokens (SBTs), a new form of digital identity proposed by Vitalik Buterin, are non-transferable and non-tradeable digital certificates that prove one's abilities, credentials, commitments, etc. SBTs use Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) that are tied to an individual or company. Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI), a key concept in Web 3.0, ensures that individuals are the sole owners of their personal data and accounts.
To implement SSI safely, the 'triangle of trust' principle suggests using a mediator, such as Sumsub, to ensure data security and verification. SBTs may resolve the issue of unverifiable reputation in a decentralized web. Web 3.0 identity could offer benefits such as increased security, privacy, and the ability for users to verify their identity without revealing personal information.
Web 3.0 will make the authentication process faster and reduce data storage costs for companies. By allowing companies to request access to data from users, while users manage the access levels, Web 3.0 could bring a new form of digital identity where users have more control over their personal data.
In conclusion, while Web 1.0 focused on reading static content, and Web 2.0 enabled interactive, platform-controlled ecosystems, Web 3.0 fosters a decentralized, intelligent, user-empowered internet where control over data and digital identity shifts to individuals, supported by blockchain and AI technologies. This fundamental shift aims to create a more secure, private, and interconnected online environment.
[1] Buterin, V. (2021). Long-term Vision for Web3. Medium. https://medium.com/@VitalikButerin/long-term-vision-for-web3-4039461f2d49
[2] ConsenSys. (2021). Web3 101. ConsenSys. https://consensys.net/web3/
[3] Polychain Capital. (2021). Web 3.0: The Next Generation of the Internet. Polychain Capital. https://polychain.capital/web-3-0-the-next-generation-of-the-internet/
[4] Web3 Foundation. (2021). Web3: A New Vision for the Internet. Web3 Foundation. https://web3.foundation/en/what-is-web3/
[5] World Economic Forum. (2021). Web3. World Economic Forum. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/06/what-is-web3-and-why-does-it-matter/
Technology like blockchain is a crucial component in the development of Web 3.0, as it aims to ensure transparency, immutability, and secure transactions, enabling trustless interactions and smart contracts.
Web 3.0's emphasis on user control and ownership, supported by blockchain and AI technologies, steers us towards a decentralized, intelligent, and secure internet where users have more control over their data and digital identity.
