Web 3.0: decentralization at the heart of the new Internet concept

While Web 3.0 does not have a specific definition, experts agree that it represents a new space aiming to empower users. To achieve this, it explores the possibilities of decentralization and Artificial Intelligence. 

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et us embark on a brief historical exercise. Web 2.0 marked a significant shift from the primitive Web 1.0 by enabling user interaction. It was often said that in Web 2.0, we were merely the “product.” In order to provide us with more personalized content, companies started collecting vast amounts of data. The dilemma was that, in theory, this data collection was meant to optimize what we were shown. In practice, however, it was nothing more than marketing between platforms and advertisers, which left us with increasingly less control over our decisions. 

Now, in the new Web 3.0 paradigm, we own and manage our content and, more importantly, our digital identity 

Decentralized future for better governance of digital ID 

Decentralization, gaining popularity especially in areas like the cryptocurrency  market, stands as one of the essential pillars in the development of Web 3.0. Unlike the traditional centralized model, where institutions and companies hold control over the data and information we receive, decentralization aims to empower individuals and communities, giving them greater ownership over their digital assets and online identity. In Web 3.0, this decentralization is done through such technologies as blockchain, providing a transparent and immutable ledger. By removing intermediaries, it encourages trust, security, and privacy in online interactions. This transition towards a decentralized internet promises to transform not only how we interact on the web but also the very structure of the digital economy and online governance. 

Through cryptographic algorithms, users can generate unique digital signatures and certifications that validate their identity without revealing sensitive information. This approach ensures that users retain ownership and control of their identity, reducing the risk of data leaks, fraud, and theft. 

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DAOs: humanistic technology for people empowerment 

Traditional business structures are being displaced by a new paradigm known as DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organization). They operate autonomously through smart contracts on a blockchain, executing decisions based on predefined rules and without the need for a centralized authority. In this way, governments and family legacies projecting influence over brands and companies become obsolete. 

Within a DAO, participants are able to propose and vote on actions and decisions that affect the organization’s course. All DAO operations are embedded in smart contracts, offering transparency and verification to each member of the blockchain network on which it operates. 

Its unburdened nature represents one of the fundamental pillars of the Web 3.0 philosophy, which aims to place trust in users and reduce dependence on centralized intermediaries. 

DAOs find applications in various contexts, from governing cryptocurrency projects to decision-making in decentralized communities and fund management. Here are some of the most relevant use cases: 

• Governance of cryptocurrency projects, involving decisions on protocol updates, changes in token issuance, and other key governance matters. 
• Decentralized communities, for managing and making decisions in areas ranging from creative spaces like art and music to open-source communities collaborating on software development. 
• Fund and resource management, for transparent and democratic administration of funds, particularly relevant in investment and crowdfunding, where participants can vote on fund distribution. 
• Digital art projects and collectibles, where DAOs can be used to make decisions on the creation, distribution, and ownership of digital artworks and other collectibles. 
• Online gaming governance, where DAOs are used to enable players to influence the development and evolution of online and video games, from rule changes to decisions on updates and expansions. 
• Non-profit organizations and social impact projects, offering a more open and transparent decision-making model for philanthropic and humanitarian efforts, including fund distribution and strategic planning. 

In each of these cases, DAOs enable transparent and rule-based decision-making, reducing the need for a centralized authority. This empowers organization members and contributes to the creation of more inclusive and participatory ecosystems in Web 3.0. 

One consequence of this vision is that judgments regarding what constitutes “accurate” and relevant information, and what does not, may finally come to an end. In recent times, with the support of social media, a new form of censorship has emerged, labeling certain discourses as “misinformation”, which has polluted freedom of speech to unforeseen limits. 

Digital identity and the true self 

Our digital footprint will not necessarily be linked to the person we are in the physical world. From leaving a like to buying a product on Amazon, it can be obscured by the blockchain, dispelling the vision of an internet built on permanent information. 

The idea behind Web 3.0 is that the web will be more “intelligent” (and democratic) and will understand the meaning of online information. This is what is known as the “semantic” web, a space that not only presents data statically but also interprets and processes it dynamically, giving it context and deeper meaning. This will allow internet users to find information more accurately and comprehensively. 

The next level in digital security  

In addition to greater decision-making power and access to smarter information, Web 3.0 will have a decisive influence on network security itself. With fraud rates and cyber-attacks constantly on the rise, a structure divided into dispersed nodes, without a central authority, will help maintain system integrity in a crisis. This approach represents a very relevant advancement over Internet 2.0, where reliance on massive servers made it susceptible to hackers. 

This paradigm shift not only redefines interaction on the web but also how we perceive and use online information. Web 3.0 invites us to be active participants in a more inclusive and participatory digital space, where trust and autonomy are fundamental pillars. 

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