Movement on human rights of data called personal information protection through Solid Project
Sir Tim Berners-Lee is a scientist who particularly emphasized the importance of information, saying, "Data is the heart of the future." He is promoting the Solid Project, an open source foundation for building a web ecosystem where individuals can control over their own data usage rights. In other words, he argues that in a solid-based web environment, each individual who provided personal information should have data sovereignty on his own, the choice of where his/her data will be stored, whether a specific individual or group can access selected elements, and which application to use. Through this process, while opposing the growing influence of a small number of large Internet companies using user information, the Internet human rights movement called privacy and privacy protection on the Internet was launched with the support of a project that users should control their own information.
He said that the Internet sovereignty is to provide data where I want it, to control my information at will, and even to enjoy economic benefits. He is also developing a new human rights movement called data sovereignty in the digital age, while criticizing the monopoly and control of a data by a handful of giant corporations and authoritarian regimes.
In particular, Sir Tim Berners-Lee addressed concerns about the emergence of negative factors as the web evolves, such as hacking, counterfeiting, personal information protection issues, and manipulation, which were not greatly considered at the time of the development of the World Wide Web (www) in 1989. He is promoting the Solid Project as one of the ways to solve these problems.
Dedicated to restoring Internet health through 'Contract for the Web'
Sir Tim Berners-Lee presented a prescription for restoring the health of the web while raising awareness and criticizing the pollution and dysfunction of the Internet. In other words, he wrote a 'contract for the web' consisting of nine principles to save the web from malicious forces driving it into a digital dystopia, such as political manipulation, fake news, and invasion of privacy and insisted on realizing this through the global solidarity movement.
The nine principles included in the 'Contract for the Web' consisted of three each at the government, corporate and individual levels. In other words, the government's duty is to "guarantee the right to access the Internet for everyone. All content on the Internet should be always available. We must protect the fundamental online privacy and data rights of citizens." The company's obligation is to "provide Internet access at a price that anyone can use. Protect the privacy and personal information and build online trust. We need to develop technology to promote humanitarianism and prevent negative effects." And the duty of an individual using the web is "to be a creator and collaborator on the web. We need to create a community that respects free discussion and human dignity. We must fight for the web."
"I thought the web would contribute to democracy and humanism, but I realized that it violated human rights and widened the gap between the rich and the poor," said Tim Berners-Lee. "I didn't dream of an Internet where giant corporations monopolize information and profits, spy on the public, and use fake news for political propaganda," he emphasized. At the same time, he has argued that the Internet needs a "Bill of Rights" to ensure independence and user privacy, and that the Internet should be free from inspections and censorship. The Bill of Rights he has advocated has been embodied as a 'contract for the web'.
Contributing to the resolution of inequality between individuals and countries, and the development of democracy by emphasizing the equality of Internet access
Sir Tim Berners-Lee has been emphasizing the philosophy that "everyone should have equal access to and use of the web without conditions" for over 30 years.
Looking at the problem of inequality between companies and the inequality gap between the strong and the weak through the Internet and the Web, he criticized the situation that has gone against his philosophy of distributing the Web for free, expecting that everyone can use and utilize the Web without discrimination. He also emphasized the equality of Web use, arguing that the Web has rather evolved into an engine of inequality and division, and even said that he has created a monster.
In addition, Sir Tim Berners-Lee recognizes the impact of technological advancement on inequality between countries, and individuals, and seeks to reduce inequality and promote inclusive technological progress with the socially disadvantaged.
In particular, he raises the issue of data monopoly of IT companies and proposes various policies to realize an equal web while developing the 'data decentralization' movement. Moreover, he is trying to solve the problem because the unequal access and use of the web is causing not only inequality between individuals but also between countries.
In addition, Tim Berners-Lee pointed out that authoritarian countries such as the Middle East, Afghanistan, Africa, China, Russia, and North Korea are banning, restricting, and controlling the Internet to maintain their regime, while seeking ways to promote democratization by securing data sovereignty.
He has also contributed significantly to the development of democracy, emphasizing that global connectivity can "change presidential elections, overthrow authoritarian regimes, and enrich our social networks."
Practicing altruism and philanthropy through the free supply of the World Wide Web that he invented
Sir Tim Berners-Lee developed the World Wide Web in 1989 and released it for free to people around the world, and is regarded as a true digital giant who made the Internet available to the general public, which was previously only used by professionals and limited people.
By distributing the World Wide Web he developed free of charge to the world, he provided a single global information space, allowing universal access to the Internet and free use of information. Through this, he guaranteed and expanded individual freedom and equality, which are universal values of mankind, and greatly contributed to the increase of the common interest of mankind.
In particular, he has a philosophy that Internet access should be a lifeline and a basic right. On this philosophical basis, he established a platform for human coexistence through the World Wide Web, and threw a message about idealism and altruism by refusing the opportunity to gain enormous wealth and supplying the World Wide Web for free. He also made a significant contribution to accelerating globalization. Because of Sir Tim Berners-Lee's philosophy and actions, he is also regarded as one of the greatest philanthropists of the 20th century.
The World Wide Web that he developed is regarded as a technological revolution, a printing revolution, and an information revolution in the 20th century, which innovatively changed our quality of life without time and space constraints.
In addition, Sir Tim Berners-Lee practiced philanthropy by arguing that the Web should be equally open to all politically and economically diverse groups and to persons with physical and mental disabilities, as well as ensuring equal access to people from diverse cultural backgrounds and those who speak different letters and languages.
Without Tim Berners-Lee's World Wide Web, it would have been almost impossible for us today to search on Naver, share information on Facebook, buy things in Coupang, or sit at home and search for travel destinations and cultural relics around the world for free. Otherwise, it would have been possible only after paying a lot of money. It has greatly contributed to the promotion of human welfare by allowing people around the world to access information and use the web free of charge.
A true scientist who practices the morality and ethics of science technology
Sir Tim Berners-Lee has held to the conviction that as a scientist, we must always be vigilant in what we do, ethically and morally. He viewed the development of science technology as always having both positive and negative aspects, and felt responsible for the negative effects of science technology development, and he always devoted to improve this. The Solid Project can be seen as a part of the action that actively expresses the moral, ethical, and responsibility of these scientists.
In particular, Tim Berners-Lee is staunchly opposed to the control of information in the digital age, while sternly warning against the unrestricted commercial use of personal information. On the other hand, he is constantly striving for the development of democracy by raising the alarm against authoritarianism, which seeks to control even individuals' lives through information control at the national level.
