“The internet is the greatest force for individual freedom ever conceived. Our challenge is to ensure it remains open and accessible to all.” - Eben Moglen, Professor, Columbia Law School & Founder, Software Freedom Law Center

Despite the inordinate amount of time we all spend on the internet—not to mention the near infinite amount of available content—how often do we consciously consider the systems and external forces that shape the information that reaches us?

Are we allowed to explore the digital world freely, or are there hidden barriers that hinder our access, expression, and creativity?

This is the world of internet freedom, and it is the core, overarching focus of Radworks.

At Radworks, we fund new, resilient and permissionless technologies that promote an open, censorship-resistant web, in pursuit of our long-term mission.

We build towards a freer internet by empowering builders with the tools they need to thrive—an undertaking that demonstrates, reinforces, and brings awareness to the viability of decentralized and open-source technologies.

Today, our community-governed network includes two key projects: Radicle, a peer-to peer network for code collaboration, and Drips, a peer-to-peer fund sharing and splitting solution. Both products focus on making the internet more accessible, inclusive, and transparent—the foundations of a free internet. That is, as the leader of the “free software movement,” Richard Stallman, famously stated: “Free as in freedom, not free as in beer.”

As we described in the Radworks launch post, we believe that a free and open internet is a necessary foundation for a democratic and just society.

The aim of this piece is to establish what internet freedom is, outline the challenges we’re up against, share our plans to address these challenges, and enlist your support. More specifically, we’ll touch on:

• The origin of the digital landscape and how it has evolved

• The pillars comprising internet freedom

• Why a free internet matters for society

• Key challenges and headwinds facing proponents of internet freedom

• Radworks’ plan to promote internet freedom

• How you can help

We believe promoting internet freedom is critical to unlocking human innovation, collaboration, and creativity at unprecedented scale—a vision that motivates us each and every day.

History of the Digital Landscape: Core Values & Early Obstacles

The Information Processing Techniques Office, founded by the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) and led by J.C.R. Licklider (colloquially known as “Lick”), pioneered the initial vision of a protocol-based “network of networks” that led to ARPANET and the foundations of today’s internet.

This early internet aimed to replace centralized structures with open participation and governance—a trend embodied in Paul Baran's 1964 report “On Distributed Communication,” which culminated in the World Wide Web.

In its earliest days, the internet was populated primarily with academics, researchers, and tech nerds, and underwent a metamorphosis with the advent of the World Wide Web, evolving from an academic resource into a more accessible global platform.

When the visionary Tim Berners-Lee created the first web page and browser, he unleashed a powerful tool that had the potential to promote freedom and democratic values on a global scale. Bolstered by the values imbued in its early development, the nascent digital environment soon became a canvas for creative self-expression and open communication, where individuals began to shape narratives from the bottom-up, share knowledge, and engage in global conversations.

But, as the internet turned into a truly global network and an increasingly significant part of daily life, major challenges to digital freedom began to emerge. No singular government proved capable of or willing to make the necessary policies and investments to secure the future of internet freedom. And where the public sector left gaps in authority, the private sector filled in, pursuing corporate control and providing permissioned—often gated—applications for identification, communication, association, and asset exchange.

In the face of these pressures, many founders of the early internet vocalized concerns over the possible futures of our digitally-networked lives. These included technologist Ted Nelson, originator of the terms “hypertext” and “hypermedia,” who issued prescient warnings that inadequate structures built around secure information sharing and control would inevitably lead to pervasive surveillance and information siloing.

For his part, Lick also pondered the negative impact the internet could have on society, foreshadowing ills such as public distrust of government, digital misinformation, debasement of creative professions, and control by private entities of the primary platforms for speech and public discourse.

In order to ensure this new and powerful technology included proper digital rights and freedoms, it was clear to these early technologists that organized efforts must be undertaken.

Starting in the 1970s, open-source software emerged as a key component. The early software industry, which predated the internet, was beset by two concurrent forces– commercialization and opacity, Richard Stallman devised the “GNU General Public License” in part to oppose the closed nature of the Unix OS, which critically allowed users to run, study, share, and modify the underlying source code.

Eventually, in the 1997 landmark case of “Bernstein v. United States Department of State,” the courts recognized software source code as speech protected by the First Amendment, and the government's regulations preventing its publication as unconstitutional. This case highlighted the clash between technology and regulation, underscored the crucial role of code as speech, and paved the way for broader discussions on the boundaries of digital expression that we continue to face today.

More recently, social media platforms have heralded a new era of interconnectedness, offering unparalleled avenues for expression and mobilization. But these platforms have also raised questions about privacy, data misuse, and the level of influence algorithms have on the information we consume. As a result, foundational infrastructure such as distributed systems and blockchains have emerged over the past decade—technology that challenges traditional models of centralized control and offers innovative solutions to preserve individual agency in the digital realm.

In this ever-evolving landscape—in the face of countervailing forces from both the public and private sectors—the struggle for internet freedom has persisted. In the next section, we’ll attempt to break apart and define the constituent components of internet freedom that have emerged.

Defining Five Pillars of Internet Freedom

To continue the fight for internet freedom, we need to remind ourselves of the fundamental building blocks of this precious technology. What is internet freedom, exactly?

The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) is an international non-profit digital rights group founded over 3 decades ago, and plays a major role in defending digital privacy, free speech, and innovation.

According to the EFF, internet freedom refers to the ability of individuals to access and express themselves on the internet without interference or censorship.

In other words, internet freedom grants individuals a sense of agency over their digital lives, empowering them to navigate their virtual environment with autonomy.

We’ve identified five key areas that encompass internet freedom, which we will refer to as the “five pillars of internet freedom”:

1. Freedom of Expression and Speech - Internet freedom hinges on the principle of freedom of expression, allowing individuals to voice their thoughts, opinions, and creativity without fear of censorship or retribution. Online platforms provide spaces for people to share ideas, engage in debates, and contribute to a rich tapestry of digital discourse.

2. Net Neutrality - Net neutrality ensures that internet service providers treat all data equally, without discriminating based on content, source, or destination. This principle prevents the creation of digital fast lanes and preserves a level playing field for users and content providers.

3. Privacy and Data Protection - Internet freedom includes the right to privacy and control over personal data. Robust data protection measures encourage individuals to share information online while safeguarding against unauthorized access, surveillance, and misuse.

4. Innovation and Open Source Collaboration - A cornerstone of internet freedom is the ability to innovate and collaborate openly. Open source software, where code is freely shared, modified, and distributed, encourages a culture of collective problem-solving and technological advancement.

5. Access to Information and Knowledge - Internet freedom guarantees unfettered access to a vast repository of information and knowledge. This access empowers individuals to educate themselves, engage with diverse viewpoints, and contribute to informed decision-making.

We also surveyed the team members and contributors at Radworks to gather their opinions on what internet freedom means to them. Their responses included descriptions of infrastructure that is “fundamentally open” and “community-governed,” rather than controlled by giant corporations. Ensuring global accessibility, censorship-resistance, and the sovereign ownership of data—meaning it cannot be seized or sold—were further highlighted as necessary features of a genuinely free internet.

But why should we care about internet freedom in the first place? And what are some of the broader implications of internet freedom for individuals, communities, and societies?

Why Internet Freedom Matters

In a world where digital interactions are seamlessly woven into the fabric of everyday life, the concept of internet freedom emerges as a cornerstone of social progress. Beyond the realm of technology, internet freedom carries far-reaching implications that shape the way we communicate, learn, innovate, and advocate for change.

Here, we outline various examples of the roles internet freedom has played in fostering positive outcomes for individuals and communities.

Catalyst for Expression and Innovation: By removing the physical barriers between networks and establishing common protocols for sharing information across diverse environments, the internet has had a profound impact on the way individuals express themselves. And by opening and pooling the intellectual resources of individuals and organizations, the internet fosters competition and innovation. For example, Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia to which we’ve liberally linked throughout this piece, enables a diverse set of contributors to freely share and pool their knowledge. This ultimately fosters competition, redefines information dissemination, and leads to credibly neutral, high quality, and thorough results.

Gateway to Knowledge and Learning: The internet democratizes access to knowledge and education on an unprecedented scale, allowing platforms like Khan Academy, Internet Archive, and online universities to offer free resources that transcend geographical barriers. Internet freedom ensures that individuals can explore subjects of interest, engage in self-directed learning, and collaborate with experts, regardless of their location or background.

Fuel for Economic Opportunities and Entrepreneurship: In the digital economy, internet freedom is the driving force behind economic opportunities and entrepreneurship, and platforms like Etsy, Airbnb, Mercado Libre, and other digital marketplaces that allow individuals to become creators, sellers, and service providers. Internet freedom fuels innovation by enabling startups to reach global audiences and disrupt traditional industries.

Platform for Advocacy and Social Change: Internet freedom promotes advocacy and social change by providing a platform for marginalized voices and grassroots movements. The #MeToo movement, born on social media, spotlighted issues of gender inequality and ignited conversations that reverberated worldwide. And consider the Arab Spring—a series of transformative movements across the Middle East that harnessed the power of social media to spark social and political change. The ability to communicate, organize, and share information online has both empowered individuals and mobilized communities to challenge norms and drive systemic change.

Network of Global Connectivity and Solidarity: The digital world erases geographical barriers, fostering a sense of global interconnectedness. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the internet emerged as a lifeline, connecting people, disseminating crucial information, and enabling remote work and education. A free internet allows for maintaining critital social connections and building solidarity across disparate populations, which is particularly important during global crises.

In our rapidly changing world, internet freedom isn't just a concept. It drives social progress, nurtures innovation, and amplifies the voices of the unheard. As the digital era advances, understanding and advocating for internet freedom becomes paramount in shaping an inclusive, equitable, and empowered global community.

And yet, many of the threats to society posed by the internet and ruminated on by its creators—warnings that were issued even as the internet had begun to fulfill their very own dreams of freedom and decentralization—continue to play out.

Challenges Facing Proponents of Internet Freedom

As the technology has evolved, so have the challenges to the resilience of internet freedom. The internet, once envisioned as a bastion of freedom, has become a battleground where the principles of expression clash with the dynamics of power. Building towards a freer digital environment requires a nuanced understanding of the obstacles that stand in the way, some of which we will illustrate here.

Surveillance and Privacy Erosion: The proliferation of surveillance technologies raises concerns about individual privacy and autonomy. Mass surveillance programs—often conducted under the guise of national security, as we’ve learned from the legacy of Edward Snowden—cast a shadow over the internet, challenging the very notion of private online interactions. The Apple-FBI encryption dispute underscores the tension between privacy, security, and law enforcement access to encrypted communications.

Censorship and Content Restrictions: Governments and institutions across the globe have attempted to exert control over digital spaces through censorship and content restrictions. Instances such as the “Great Firewall of China” illustrate how authorities can filter, block, or manipulate information, limiting access to certain websites and stifling open discourse.

Corporate Control and Digital Monopolies: The concentration of power in the hands of tech giants raises questions about corporate control and digital monopolies. Platforms that dominate the digital space wield significant influence over information flows, content moderation, and user behavior, prompting discussions about fair competition and user empowerment.

Threats to Net Neutrality: The principle of net neutrality, which ensures equal access to online content, faces threats from practices like data throttling, fast lanes, and zero-rating. These practices can distort the level playing field, favoring certain types of content or users and potentially stifling innovation.

Ensuring Universal Access: Access to the internet remains uneven across the world. Millions still lack connectivity, especially in emerging nations, as social, economic, and geopolitical dynamics continually threaten to reduce access. Addressing this digital divide is essential to ensure that internet freedom is a reality for all, regardless of socioeconomic status or geographical location. As Lick, together with another internet pioneer, Robert Taylor, wrote in 1968:

“The [internet’s] impact will be good or bad, depending mainly on the question: Will ‘to be on line’ be a privilege or a right? If only a favored segment of the population gets a chance to enjoy the advantage of ‘intelligence amplification,’ the network may exaggerate the discontinuity in the spectrum of intellectual opportunity.

On the other hand, if the network idea should prove to do for education what a few have envisioned in hope, if not in concrete detailed plan, and if all minds should prove to be responsive, surely the boon to humankind would be beyond measure.” (source)

Surmounting & tackling the above challenges, among others, will require a multifaceted approach that includes a myriad of stakeholders, including governments, civil society, the tech industry, and individuals.

In the next section, we outline our own plan to foster a freer internet, and fulfill our commitment to an open and inclusive digital future.

How Radworks Will Promote Internet Freedom

At Radworks, we’re steadfast in our commitment to advancing the principles of internet freedom and shaping a digital future where openness, innovation, and individual rights are paramount.

Our mission is to empower individuals, communities, and organizations to harness the full potential of the internet, while upholding the fundamental values of openness, inclusivity, and transparency. We believe that internet freedom is the cornerstone of a thriving digital society, and we are dedicated to promoting this freedom for present and future generations.

We will work towards accomplishing these goals through a combination of the following initiatives:

• Advocacy and education: Through campaigns, workshops, and partnerships—as well as support for open-source projects—we contribute to raising awareness about the importance of internet freedom.

• Technological and Financial Empowerment: We develop and support solutions—such as Radicle and Drips—that advance the frontier of technological innovation, allow open-source developers to more effectively earn in exchange for their code, and bolster internet freedom.

• Community Engagement: Our endeavors are not solitary pursuits—they are part of a broader movement that spans continents and cultures. We will strive to promote diverse communities and foster a sense of collective action through grassroots initiatives, online forums, and local events.

• Local Empowerment, Global Change: By participating in and engaging with both local and international initiatives, we hope to catalyze conversations that resonate globally and contribute to an ecosystem of digital empowerment.

We believe internet freedom isn't just a luxury—it's a necessity. It's the lifeline that connects us to knowledge, enables us to share our stories, and empowers us to challenge norms. It's the cornerstone of innovation, entrepreneurship, and social change, uniting individuals from diverse backgrounds in a common quest for progress.

Concluding Remarks & How You Can Help

While the concept of internet freedom has emerged as our north star—a beacon that drives us to work towards an inclusive and exciting future—it remains a moving target. A myriad of dynamic external forces regularly shift beneath our feet.

As new technologies emerge, corporations vie for dominance, and geopolitical entities and relations evolve, both the definition of internet freedom, and the objectives that come with it, change, which poses persistent limitations in our pursuits.

We simultaneously acknowledge that we are not alone in our ambitions, and that our efforts rest on the shoulders of giants—individuals and organizations, both past and present, that have endeavored and achieved so much in the name of internet freedom and digital rights.

As such, we extend an invitation—a call to action that echoes across borders and resonates in the heart of every digital citizen. We invite you to join the collective movement to push the boundaries of internet freedom forward.

Here’s how you can start contributing:

• Engage with the Champions of Internet Freedom: Organizations and NGOs such as the EFF, World Wide Web Foundation, Freedom House, Internet Freedom Foundation, and Open Technology Fund continually publish research and advocate for a free and open web. The first step towards action is staying educated on global developments and supporting initiatives that impact the digital landscape.

• Advocate for Change: Participate in both online and IRL discussions and events,  such as those promoted by Team CommUNITY, The European Digital Rights (EDRi) network, and Ranking Digital Rights (the independent research program founded by Rebecca MacKinnon, author of Consent of the Networked: The Worldwide Struggle for Internet Freedom). Connect with others to help raise awareness about the importance of internet freedom and the networks that support it.

• Support Open Source: Embrace and contribute to open source projects that foster innovation, transparency, and user empowerment. You can start by referencing this guide published by the Linux Foundation—a non-profit organization that supports open-source software projects. By collaborating on open source initiatives, you play a role in shaping the digital tools of tomorrow.

Together, we can collectively become architects of an internet that respects individual autonomy, celebrates creativity, and upholds the principles of democracy.

We invite you to join us on this journey to preserve and expand the frontiers of internet freedom, ensuring the online world remains a realm of boundless possibilities, accessible to all.