Internet evolves: the European vision of Web 4.0

The development of the Internet progresses through distinct phases. From the initial Web 1.0 era, through the Web 2.0 dominated by centralized platforms, to current discussions on Web 3.0 and Web 4.0. In this context of technological evolution, the European Union has crafted its own ambitious strategy for Web 4.0, reflecting a vision that balances innovation with social protection. This analysis examines the meaning of Web 4.0, analyzes Europe’s strategic orientation, and explores the regulatory challenges accompanying this digital transition.

How Web 4.0 Redefines the Evolution of the Internet

The progression of the Internet is a story of continuous transformation. In Web 1.0, content was created by individuals and freely distributed worldwide, forming an open but rudimentary network. With the advent of Web 2.0, control shifted into the hands of large corporate platforms, centralizing informational and commercial power. Although efficient, this centralization raised growing concerns about privacy and personal data control.

Web 3.0 introduced blockchain technology and decentralized principles as a response to this concentration of power. However, Web 3.0’s primarily technical focus and complexity created significant access barriers for ordinary users. Web 4.0 positions itself as a natural evolution of this trajectory, inheriting Web 3.0 tools but shifting priorities: user experience and social impact become central, rather than pure technological innovation.

Key features defining Web 4.0 include:

• User self-determination in data control and privacy
• Decentralized infrastructures based on blockchain technology
• Economic models built on tokens and incentive systems
• Strong protection of content creators’ rights
• Enhanced security and fight against digital counterfeiting
• Active community involvement in governance
• Distribution of decision-making power to peripheral actors

This new paradigm signifies a fundamental shift: from the Internet as a centrally controlled platform to an ecosystem where power decentralizes toward end-users and their organized communities.

Web 3.0 vs. Web 4.0: Fundamental Differences

Although Web 3.0 and Web 4.0 are conceptually close, they represent different priorities and approaches:

Different orientations: Web 3.0 emphasizes decentralization and blockchain technology as goals, while Web 4.0 prioritizes usability and the social value technology should generate for ordinary users.

Technical tools: Web 3.0 relies on blockchain and cryptocurrencies, whereas Web 4.0 integrates these with artificial intelligence, semantic web, and other complementary approaches, creating a more heterogeneous tech stack.

Value propositions: Web 3.0 aims to build decentralized networks and applications as intrinsic goals, while Web 4.0 focuses on practical accessibility and tangible benefits for users.

Maturity stage: Web 3.0 remains in early experimental phases with unresolved issues, whereas Web 4.0 presents a forward-looking vision built on Web 3.0 foundations, not yet fully implementable.

Economic models: Web 3.0 models are mainly based on tokenized economies, while Web 4.0 may incorporate traditional economic schemes for sustainable financial viability.

Regulatory orientation: Web 3.0 leans toward anti-regulatory and libertarian philosophies, whereas Web 4.0 anticipates more active engagement with regulatory frameworks.

Risk management: Web 3.0 relies on technical code to mitigate risks, while Web 4.0 emphasizes the social responsibility of platforms in governing these risks.

Overall, Web 4.0 embodies a broader ambition, with more inclusive goals and a wider horizon compared to Web 3.0, though the latter currently holds an advantage in technological maturity.

The EU’s Strategic Approach to Web 4.0

The European Commission, aware of the strategic importance of this evolution, has recently articulated a response that goes beyond mere adoption of Web 3.0. The EU defines Web 4.0 as the convergence of artificial intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, immersive virtual environments, and extended reality technologies, creating a broad technical vision that integrates multiple dimensions of digital innovation.

The adoption of the term “Web 4.0” by the EU also reflects a social reality: surveys conducted by YouGov in collaboration with Consensys show that only 8% of the general population claims to truly understand Web 3.0, making it necessary to guide public attention toward a more inclusive conceptual framework.

The European strategy is built around ten key pillars:

1. Vigilant awareness of privacy and security risks posed by Web 3.0
2. Active oversight of Web 4.0 rather than completely laissez-faire policies
3. Learning from Web 2.0 lessons through binding standards
4. Specific protection for minors and vulnerable communities from harmful content
5. Holding platforms accountable for moderation of user-generated content
6. Implementing authentication systems with content traceability
7. Empowering users in governing their personal data
8. Balancing innovation stimulation with risk containment
9. Systematic inclusion of multiple stakeholder perspectives
10. Promoting a responsible and sustainably structured digital ecosystem

This framework reveals an EU intent on actively guiding Web 4.0 development through regulation, differentiating itself from purely liberal approaches.

Regulatory Obstacles and Implementation Challenges

Operationalizing this European vision of Web 4.0 faces significant hurdles:

Internal heterogeneity within the EU leads to divergent attitudes toward emerging technologies like Web 3.0 and the metaverse, though a cautious stance prevails. The EU perceives a structural issue in Web 3.0: its obsession with technical aspects often neglects systemic risks and potentially destabilizing social impacts.

Specifically, the European Commission aims to prevent past problems—such as privacy violations, minors’ exposure to harmful content, and incitement to hatred—through active supervision. It is developing innovative digital services legislation that imposes significantly greater responsibilities on internet platforms and social media giants regarding moderation and traceability.

This overall strategy extends lessons from Web 2.0, seeking to prevent harmful dynamics from repeating in the new technological cycle. The European approach could have spillover effects, influencing regulatory directions for Web 3.0 and Web 4.0 in other jurisdictions, given the EU’s economic influence.

However, structural difficulties remain: reconciling diverse national interests within the EU, managing the uncertainties of rapid technological innovation, and continuously balancing promotion of innovation with potential harm containment.

Future Perspectives for the European Digital Order

Overall, the EU demonstrates a markedly higher concern than the private sector regarding the social consequences and inherent risks of Web 3.0. This concern justifies active regulation and deliberate guidance of Web 4.0 development at the policy governance level.

Although the evolutionary path is still long and filled with technological uncertainties, it is reasonable to anticipate the emergence of a new regulatory framework for the digital economy. Europe’s experience in governing this transition to Web 4.0 will likely serve as an instructive model for other regions worldwide. Monitoring the developments of Web 4.0 remains crucial, as it will shape the configuration of the global digital ecosystem in the coming decade.