The web is a fundamental part of our lives, shaping how we work, connect, and learn. We understand that with this profound impact comes the responsibility to ensure that the web serves as a platform that benefits people and delivers positive social outcomes. As we continue to advance the web platform, we must therefore consider the consequences of our work.
In response to this need, the W3C Technical Architecture Group (TAG) has published the Ethical Web Principles as a W3C Statement. This is the first W3C Statement being published since the W3C Process Document introduced them in November 2021. W3C Statements provide a stable reference for documents not intended to be formal standards, but have been formally reviewed and are endorsed by W3C.
The Ethical Web Principles are as much a guide in ethical thinking across the web industry as they are a guide for the work of the W3C community by providing a concise set of principles to assist spec developers, authors, and reviewers in their work. In particular, the purpose of this document is to inform the wide review of new charters, new specifications, candidate additions to published recommendations, and the development of actionable technical guidelines such as the Web Platform Design Principles and Privacy Principles. Furthermore, the document outlines how we, as an organization, define the power and purpose of the web, from an ethical standpoint.
These principles are not merely theoretical; they constitute a call to action. They encourage everyone involved in the web's evolution to assess their contributions' societal and environmental impacts. We can create a web that truly benefits everyone by adhering to these principles:
- There is one web
- The web does not cause harm to society
- The web supports healthy community and debate
- The web is for all people
- The web is secure and respects people's privacy
- The web enables freedom of expression
- The web makes it possible to verify information
- The web enhances individuals' control and power
- The web is an environmentally sustainable platform
- The web is transparent
- The web is multi-browser, multi-OS, and multi-device
- The web can be consumed in any way that people choose
W3C has a long history that embeds its core values and principles in the web’s architecture. As members of the web community, we each play a part in shaping its future. The Ethical Web Principles remind us that the web extends beyond technology—it’s a reflection of the values we hold as a global society. Let us adopt this guide to enhance a web that connects and empowers us all.
Photo by Denise Jans on Unsplash