Chelsea Manning, former U.S. Army intelligence analyst and whistleblower, emphasized the ongoing threat of censorship during her speech at the Web Summit. Manning called for a shift to a more decentralized internet, advocating for “decentralized identification” to allow individuals to take control of their own data and online privacy.
Manning proposed a return to a distributed internet model, reminiscent of the early ’90s, where users would have more control and freedom, reducing the power of monopolistic tech companies. This vision involves decentralizing data control through encryption, allowing users to manage their online presence independently of centralized social media giants.
She also discussed the need for a better social contract between tech companies and users, with more transparency in how data is shared and accessed. Manning supports the use of technologies like mixnets, which enhance digital privacy by breaking communications into packets and obscuring their origin.
Through her work with Nym Technologies, Manning promotes solutions like decentralized VPNs and blockchain-based incentives for secure, censorship-resistant internet infrastructure. These measures aim to empower users, reduce the influence of big tech, and safeguard online privacy against growing censorship.
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