Digital content is drowning our very own well-being; it is suffocating our eyes and each screen begs the end user to, “download me, download me, download me!” Along comes the blockchain and web 3.0…
With the digital transformation of the internet, we’ve certainly come a long way from the good ol’ days of dial up internet in the nineties, and, don’t forget, the classic AOL voice, “you’ve got mail.”
Since this twenty some year expansion of the internet, we now have all of this data and content; although, the question remains: what do we do with all of this data, our personal data?
End Users: “I Got a Feeling Somebody’s Watching Me!”
Of course, mega monopolized platforms like Meta, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and every app in between are also begging users to choose them, but what happens when you choose to rely on these 3rd party mega platforms?
What happens? You give them access to all of your data and you relinquish control over FULL digital ownership.
After all, large tech companies base their business models off of your data and selling it to marketing companies. Upon doing so, advertising experts can tailor products online and offline for their bottom-line: sales.
Sure these platforms provide tons of users, fans, followers and in success cases, monetary rewards and whatnot, but at the expense of compromising your very own personal data?
An article on Wired published in the UK, implies that TikTok has access to your IP address, location, search history, message content, what videos you are viewing and the time watched; needless to say, they may also track how you interact with online advertisers….a little too much? How about invasive?
Businesses could lose absolute control over their privacy, digital assets and monetizable content when solely relying on 3rd party platforms via web 2.0.
Keep in mind, these monopolized platforms, of course, they want a piece of the pie; maybe a larger piece than they’re willing to serve you.
Allowing these mega platform applications on web 2.0 this type of control over your data and access to your private life/business, deems the end user (you) powerless and not in control.
In theory and hypothetically, say you don’t adhere to the platform terms and conditions agreement (solely from simple negligence); because let’s face it, the every day end user doesn’t really dig into the terms and conditions and redline it to understand it line by line…
If you happen to get erased or banned on these platforms by breaching your digitally signed agreement, the platform wins on web 2.0 and bye, bye, to the hardworking digital data that you poured company and individual dollars and time into (hopefully you backed up your data!)
At this point, you’re better off placing more of an emphasis on your digital .com domain, but keep in mind, decentralization does not exist in web 2.0 as ICANN (The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) oversees each I.P (Internet Protocol) and DNS (Domain Name System) root created in the U.S oversees web 2.0.
Although, if business owners and individuals follow ethical ethos, losing data from your backed up and secured website is harder than getting kicked off, erased or banned from a 3rd party platform.
Business owners and entrepreneurs have the option to organically grow their content and rightfully should on a web 2.0 .com domain. Doing so, will certainly help lead your endeavors into web 3.0 as the internet continues expansion.
Upgrade and Own Digital Assets: Along Comes Web 3.0 to the Rescue; But Never Get Too Complacent In Tech
Web 3.0 has been involved in the technology scene for quite some time and adds the missing piece web 2.0 lacks: complete privacy and ownership. Since 3.0 is run off of a decentralized blockchain, no one has control over your digital assets but you!
Keep in mind, when accessing web 3.0 you’ll have to mint your own assets yourself and store and secure them in an offline cold wallet. Give your keyword phrases to absolutely NO ONE!! Web 3.0 places a lot of risk on the individual.
Power to the People and the Web 2.0: Tit for Tat
As mentioned, web 3.0 is becoming more of a reality in the World Wide Web of web developers, engineers, techs, decentralized finance (defi) professionals, entrepreneurs, innovators and counting. This new iteration is expanding in the tech industry with light speed.
Not only is web 3.0 a buzz word for digital marketers but this new web iteration in the defi niche deems web 3.0 as digital power to the people; although it lacks simplicity for the every day end user!
Web 3.0 Needs the Innovators, Creators and Expanders of Web 2.0 to Succeed
The simplified version of 3.0 just isn’t here yet, especially on a mainstream level. In order to own digital data on web 3.0; including NFTs, crypto, and dapps (decentralized applications) on the blockchain, so many steps are needed in the process to secure your digital assets and actually own them.
Constantly securing your alphanumeric keywords yourself, may seem like a complex task for the every day person and it is. Most people would rather leave it up to the professionals and major corporations to safeguard and insure their assets, which is why 3.0 presents also exhibits many complex flaws for the every day end user.
Web 3.0 Can Learn from Web 2.0 and Iteration and Development Will Take Time to Unwind…
Web 3.0 will certainly need to learn from web 2.0 to advance and scale to the level ambitious defi techs envision. Web 3.0 will also require web developers, SEO’s, UX designers, engineers, programmers and enlightened tech entrepreneurs and businesses to simplify the new iteration.
Simplifying the process will take years. Let’s face it, if end users lose a password and end up getting hacked, they will lose every asset.
It’s much easier to place the blame on a 3rd party to insure and secure users assets at stake.
Relying on oneself to fully own one’s assets is a HUGE responsibility and takes constant research as the technology industry is constantly shifting and pushing forward.
Learning to properly secure and reduce hacks is something the every day end user isn’t ready for.