Sir Tim Berners-Lee, the inventor of the World Wide Web, recently introduced a “Contract for the Web” in an effort to safeguard the future of his creation, now deemed almost indispensable for human existence. Berners-Lee expressed in an op-ed for The New York Times that the Web is teetering on a critical juncture and necessitates substantial intervention from various stakeholders, including governments, corporations, civil society groups, and individual users.
Nearly a year ago, Berners-Lee unveiled plans for this “Contract,” which the World Wide Web Foundation, a non-profit he established, has been actively developing. The objective is to formulate a global action plan where all stakeholders commit collectively to constructing a “better” Web. The Contract comprises nine principles—three each for governments, private companies, and individuals and civil society—to endorse, encompassing a total of 76 clauses.
Emily Sharpe, Director of Policy at the World Wide Web Foundation, clarified that the Contract is not merely aspirational or a declaration; it is intended to be implemented as a practical plan of action. Governments can use it as a roadmap for formulating digital-era regulations, and companies can integrate it into the development of their products and services.
Over 80 organizations, including governments, corporations, civil society activists, and academics, were involved in creating the Contract, aiming to establish a standard policy for a Web that benefits everyone. The principles emerged after extensive discussions spanning almost a year and included participation from governments like France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and Ghana, as well as tech giants such as Google, Facebook, Twitter, Microsoft, NordVPN, Reddit, Github, and DuckDuckGo. Individuals can also endorse the Contract on its official website.
The Contract’s principles cover ensuring universal internet access, keeping the internet available at all times, respecting privacy and data rights, making the internet affordable and accessible, building technologies that support positive human values, and encouraging citizens to be active creators and collaborators on the Web.
Implementation of the Contract’s lofty principles poses challenges. Sharpe mentioned that companies failing to implement the Contract may be delisted, although this might not be the strongest deterrent. Despite not being a legal or United Nations document, the organization is in talks with the UN. The Contract relies on global agreement for setting standards, with the hope that governments and companies will align their actions with human rights standards.
Citizen action is emphasized, with the organization encouraging citizens to hold governments and companies accountable for any violations of the Contract’s terms. The next steps involve building concrete solutions to support the Contract’s goals, measuring progress, collaborating with regulators globally, and persuading more governments to join the Contract.