The internet, originally intended to be a democratic space, has become a forest of monopolised power and wealth. Tech giants like Google, Facebook, and Amazon have dominated the digital landscape, harvesting user data for profit. This monopolisation has resulted in a loss of privacy and autonomy for users, and a lack of competition and innovation in the tech industry.
The concept of digital public spaces is proposed as a solution. These are online spaces owned and operated by the public, where users can interact without being subjected to surveillance and data harvesting. They are designed to foster community, diversity, and innovation, embodying the original democratic ideals of the internet.
Digital public spaces have already seen success in Taiwan, where the government uses an open-source platform to facilitate public discussion and decision-making. The platform, vTaiwan, enables citizens to propose and debate legislation, creating a more participatory democracy.
The establishment of digital public spaces requires a shift in policy and public perception. It involves recognising the internet as a public good, rather than a commodity, and regulating tech giants to prevent monopolisation. It also requires investment in public tech infrastructure and education to ensure all citizens can access and benefit from these spaces.
The creation of digital public spaces could herald a new era of internet democracy, restoring user autonomy and fostering innovation. It presents a vision of the internet as a forest of diverse voices, rather than a monopoly of power.
Go to source article: https://newpublic.org/article/1572/the-word-for-web-is-forest