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web-ownership surveillance-economy digital-rights internet-governance

A simple web we own

rsdoiel.github.io

February 23, 2026

28 min read

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62/100

Summary

Large corporations and governments currently control the Web and Internet, resulting in a surveillance economy and a sense of users as tenants and products. Questions arise about alternatives to this ownership model and ways to change the current dynamics.

Key Takeaways

The Web and Internet are predominantly owned and controlled by large corporations and governments, resulting in a surveillance economy and user exploitation.
Ownership of hardware and software by individuals and cooperatives could positively impact the Web and Internet, similar to the influence of unionized industries on the political economy.
The assumption that only large corporations can provide easy web publication is incorrect, as simpler alternatives like Markdown have made web authoring accessible to more people.
Previous attempts to decentralize web systems often replicated centralized models, but there is potential for success in creating truly distributed systems that do not mimic Big Co experiences.

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Community Sentiment

Mixed

Positives

The idea of simplifying content hosting resonates with many, indicating a demand for user-friendly tools that empower non-technical users to publish online.
Local AI can enhance the publishing experience by providing intuitive interfaces, making it easier for non-technical users to create content without needing to learn complex formats.
Creating mobile applications like JekyllPress demonstrates that simplifying the publishing process can lead to increased engagement and usage among users who prefer ease of access.

Concerns

Relying on centralized companies for hosting, even with the intention of decentralization, raises concerns about security and control over content.
The complexity of tools like Markdown can deter non-technical users from engaging with content creation, highlighting a barrier to democratizing the web.