Web 2 Centralization Creates Problems: Is Web3 the Solution?

The internet we use today is no longer the primitive Web 2 with static pages. Modern platforms like Facebook, Google, and Twitter have transformed the web into a dynamic and interactive content ecosystem. However, this progress comes at a high cost: users have lost control over their personal data.

Why is Web 2 Becoming More Problematic?

When smartphones exploded in the market, mobile internet access opened the door for billions of users to join digital platforms. Giant technology companies capitalized on this momentum by collecting user data on an unprecedented scale. Google and Facebook made massive acquisitions of smaller competitors, creating concentrated data centers that dominate the global network.

The problem is clear: users do not own their own data. Every interaction, click, and preference is recorded in a centralized database. These companies use that information to create targeted ads and keep users in their closed “ecosystem.” The Facebook case in the 2010s, where personal data was collected without user consent, sparked global outrage and raised awareness about the importance of digital privacy.

Censorship has also become a serious issue. User accounts are closed without warning when they violate internal community guidelines that are often unclear. Large companies have the power to control the narrative and determine what can or cannot be said.

Web3: The Answer to the Future

In facing this crisis of trust, technology thinkers are designing solutions that combine the decentralization of the early Web 2 era with modern user participation. This concept is known as Web3.

Web3 leverages peer-to-peer technology such as blockchain to eliminate intermediaries. Instead of data being stored on centralized servers, information is distributed across a jointly managed network. The Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality (VR), and open-source software reinforce this vision. The result is a “permissionless” internet—anyone can participate without needing permission from a central entity.

Technical Advantages of Web3

Better Security: Distributed data is not easily hacked. Hackers cannot access a central system to compromise all users at once. Each node in the network holds a part of the information.

True ownership: Users not only consume and create content—they own it. This means they can monetize their own works without seeking permission from the platform company.

Free from censorship: Without a central authority, no single entity can delete content or close accounts unilaterally. Decisions are made through network consensus.

The Technology Driving Web3

Blockchain is the main foundation. This technology creates an immutable ledger, enabling transparent transactions without intermediaries. Cryptocurrency and DeFi (Decentralized Finance) empower users to manage their own assets.

Combining with other emerging technologies opens up new possibilities. The Metaverse, for example, is a 3D virtual space where users interact through avatars. Here, they can buy virtual land, play games, work, and socialize—all within a decentralized environment.

Is Web3 Really Better?

It is difficult to provide a definitive answer as Web3 is still in the conceptual stage and early implementation. However, its potential is clear. With decentralized infrastructure, Web3 can address the major issues of Web 2: unfair data control, threatened privacy, and arbitrary censorship.

The difference between Web 2 and Web3 is essentially a choice between centralization and decentralization. One prioritizes corporate convenience and control, while the other prioritizes user freedom and autonomy. As the internet evolves, this choice will become increasingly clear to users around the world.