Developing the 'Pro-human' Web

Abstract

Questions about the power relations between individuals, corporations and governments within the Web are increasingly prevalent, introducing unique political and philosophical challenges for a platform that exists beyond nation-states and with few conventional mechanisms of control. Arising from this, a call for a 'pro-human' Web by Berners-Lee has led to a campaign to develop a 'Web We Want'. This proposes individual digital rights and responsibilities, suggesting a globalised, post-national digital reform 'for humanity'. Whilst such ambitions offer significant appeal, their scope means that a great deal of work must be done to develop them in practical terms. In this paper we suggest that an essential part of this work will be to interrogate the conceptualisations of a 'pro-human' Web, highlighting both implications and sociotechnical changes that might move us closer to a 'Web We Want'.