Web inventor decries fake news, loss of privacy

On the 28th anniversary of the world wide web, the inventor of the technology, Sir Tim Berners-Lee, has shared his concerns about three trends he fears threaten to compromise his vision for the web.

In an open letter, Berners-Lee said when he first submitted his proposal for the World Wide Web, he imagined it as an open platform to allow anyone to share information, find opportunities and collaborate across geographic and cultural boundaries.

“In many ways, the web has lived up to this vision, though it has been a recurring battle to keep it open. But over the past 12 months, I’ve become increasingly worried about three new trends, which I believe we must tackle in order for the web to fulfil its true potential as a tool which serves all of humanity.”

Berners-Lee expressed concern that web users are losing control of their personal data due to the collection habits of companies. Users are often unaware of where their data is being stored and lack control over which data they share.

“This widespread data collection by companies also has other impacts. Through collaboration with — or coercion of — companies, governments are also increasingly watching our every move online, and passing extreme laws that trample on our rights to privacy,” he said.

“In repressive regimes, it’s easy to see the harm that can be caused... but even in countries where we believe governments have citizens’ best interests at heart, watching everyone, all the time is simply going too far. It creates a chilling effect on free speech and stops the web from being used as a space to explore important topics, like sensitive health issues, sexuality or religion.”

Berners-Lee also joined a growing crowd in decrying the spread of “fake news”, stories from unscrupulous sources that are rife with misinformation designed to appeal to biases and spread rapidly, driving traffic to the site.

Finally, Berners-Lee expressed concern over the lack of transparency in political advertising online.

“These are complex problems, and the solutions will not be simple. But a few broad paths to progress are already clear. We must work together with web companies to strike a balance that puts a fair level of data control back in the hands of people, including the development of new technology like personal ‘data pods’ if needed and exploring alternative revenue models like subscriptions and micropayments,” he said.

“We must fight against government over-reach in surveillance laws, including through the courts if necessary. We must push back against misinformation by encouraging gatekeepers such as Google and Facebook to continue their efforts to combat the problem, while avoiding the creation of any central bodies to decide what is ‘true’ or not.

“We need more algorithmic transparency to understand how important decisions that affect our lives are being made, and perhaps a set of common principles to be followed. We urgently need to close the ‘internet blind spot’ in the regulation of political campaigning.”

Image courtesy of Campus Party Brasil under CC