IETF RFC 9518: Can Internet Standards Combat the Tide of Centralization?
A new IETF informational RFC argues that while standards bodies like the IETF cannot fully prevent Internet centralization driven by non-technical forces, they can design protocols to enable decentralized operation. The document dissects the risks and benefits of centralization across protocols and services, offering concrete recommendations for engineers to foster interoperability and user choice. As Big Tech dominance grows, this guidance could shape the future of open Internet architecture.