Centralization is about Control, not Protocols (Position Paper)

Abstract

Many common ``consumer'' applications, i.e., applications widely used by non-technical users, are now provided by a very small number of companies, even if that set of companies differ across geographic regions, or rely on a very small number of implementations even if the applications are largely standards-based. While likely only a partial solution, we can draw on earlier regulatory experiences to facilitate competition or at least lessen the impact of the lack thereof.

Interdisciplinary Workshop on (de) Centralization in the Internet (IWCI'21), December 7, 2021