The Dark Side of Decentralization: Can We Handle a Truly Free Internet?

Written by dylanmich | Published 2025/09/17
Tech Story Tags: decentralized-internet | internet-censorship | free-speech | decentralization | decentralized-social-media | digital-privacy | technology-ethics | blockchain

TLDRDecentralization is a seductive idea: a web owned by its users, free from censorship and algorithmic control. But the promise of freedom can’t blind us to the complexities and downsides. Network effects and switching costs still tie us to the big platforms. Algorithms won’t disappear; they’ll just move from corporate back rooms to community servers where new power dynamics will play out. Infrastructure and legal frameworks are still centralized and present choke points.via the TL;DR App
no story
Written by dylanmich | A passionate explorer of the natural world
Published by HackerNoon on 2025/09/17
ABOUTHow hackers start their afternoons. We publish tech stories and build publishing software.

READEntirely free library read by hundreds of millions to learn anything about any technology.

WRITEHackerNoon elevates quality technology writing far and wide across the interwebs.

PARTNERHackerNoon works directly with tech companies to place ads by content relevancy