Towards an Internet of Public Values

The Vulnerability of the Current Internet

According to Paulien, it is a problem that the internet is largely controlled by American companies that prioritize commercial interests. European values such as privacy, transparency, and democratic control are therefore given little space online. No less than 70 percent of European data – including sensitive government information – is stored on servers located in America without full clarity on who has access to this data.

One of the major challenges in the digital world is the rise of disinformation. "The internet determines what we see, think, and with whom we communicate. It is one of the most intimate technologies ever created," says Paulien. According to her, it is crucial for the cultural sector, which serves the public interest, to develop a public online space where public values are central.

Growing Awareness of Big Tech's Impact

"Switching to alternative platforms is not simple," says Paulien. "Our services, social contacts, and business data are so intertwined with the current internet that breaking away is not easy." Still, she notices an increase in awareness. "The American elections accelerated that process. People are switching from WhatsApp to Signal, but for services like Google Drive, Facebook, and X, the threshold is higher, and much needs to happen before the masses switch."

Organizations like PublicSpaces, Waag Futurelab, and Bits of Freedom play a role in raising awareness. "They advocate for an open, fair, and secure internet based on public values." But it's not just about technology: "Regulation and legislation are also needed. In Brussels and The Hague, discussions are also taking place about the risks of dependency on big tech." The report by the Dutch Court of Audit, 'The State in the Cloud (opens in new tab)', states that the Dutch government is not making the required risk assessments and no longer has control over its own cloud usage. This can pose risks to sovereignty, the continuity of services, and the protection of citizen and business data.

Searching for Alternatives 

Whenever major events occur, awareness of technology's influence grows. During the pandemic, for example, the privacy of video conferencing software suddenly became a hot topic. "People became massively aware of the implications of this software, leading to a search for alternatives," says Paulien. "We have become accustomed to the well-functioning systems of big tech. Alternatives often have limited resources to offer that level of functionality, or significant technical knowledge is required to work with them."

Paulien hopes that more alternative platforms will emerge. "It is not necessary to completely abolish the commercial internet, but there must also be a larger, non-market-driven internet, an ecosystem of services that serve as alternatives." One example is the Fediverse. "The Fediverse is a collection of open-source (communication) platforms that are all interconnected via certain open standards," Paulien explains. The larger the community of these alternatives, the easier it becomes to live a digital life without being dependent on commercial platforms and to have freedom of choice.

The Role of Cultural Organizations in the Digital Shift

Cultural institutions are at a crossroads. On the one hand, they want to reach their audience; on the other hand, they operate based on public values. This means they have a responsibility to reflect on their digital presence (opens in new tab). "If people continue to rely heavily on big tech, it becomes difficult for cultural organizations to switch. Cultural organizations have a core goal of reaching the public."

However, there are strategies to make that switch. Paulien advocates for the POSSE model (Publish on your Own Site, Syndicate Elsewhere). "This means that you publish content primarily on your own platform and then distribute it to commercial channels. At the same time, you build an audience in alternative online spaces. This way, you maintain control over your content and guide people to a platform where you are not dependent on big tech."

Challenges and Opportunities 

Many cultural organizations operate with limited budgets, and their core goals lie elsewhere: organizing exhibitions, performances, and festivals. The transition to alternative platforms requires time, policy, strategy, money, and expertise. "A common problem is that within a pilot project, there is room and budget to experiment, but after the pilot ends, everything reverts to old habits," Paulien explains.

Still, there are positive developments. For example, in the National Growth Fund Program: Creative Industries Immersive Impact Coalition (CIIIC), the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science (OCW) stipulated that public values must be embedded at the core of this project. Such policy initiatives can help cultural institutions make more responsible digital choices.

The Future of the Internet: Embrace the Friction 

What does the future look like? Paulien is realistic: "The internet has grown organically over the past thirty years. A fundamental change will not happen overnight. But if we make conscious choices, adjust regulations, and invest in a European cloud, we can build a fairer digital ecosystem together."

Her advice: "Sometimes it may take a bit more effort, but embrace the friction that new systems bring. Ultimately, it gives you more autonomy and more control over your own life."