Hypothesis Restricts Access to Via Proxy Server, Shifting Focus to Partnership Model

In a significant shift for its annotation platform, Hypothesis has announced plans to restrict access to its Via proxy server to only core websites with official partnerships. The change, set to take effect during the week of February 2nd, 2026, marks another evolution in the company's approach to enabling conversations over the world's knowledge.

The Evolution of Via

Launched in 2015, Via was designed as an open proxy service that allowed users to enter any URL and view the resulting page with Hypothesis' annotation sidebar embedded, regardless of whether they had a Hypothesis account. This frictionless approach was central to Hypothesis' mission of making annotation accessible to everyone.

In 2021, the company transitioned Via from an open to a closed proxy model. This change was implemented to ensure that sites accessed through the proxy contained legitimate annotatable content, reduce attempted malicious activity, and limit non-compliant usage such as firewall evasion. However, maintaining this closed model has required significant ongoing resources to review sites and distinguish legitimate usage from problematic activity.

Growing Alternative Access Methods

According to Hypothesis, other methods of accessing its annotation service have grown substantially during this period. The company has observed steady adoption of its Chrome extension and Bookmarklet, which allow users to load Hypothesis on any webpage. Additionally, direct site embeds have become increasingly popular, supported by simple partnership requirements that often include Publisher Groups.

These embeds enable site owners to feature and moderate public conversations on their content, creating a more integrated annotation experience. This growth in alternative access methods has likely influenced Hypothesis' decision to further restrict Via.

The LMS Factor

A particularly significant development has been the rapid growth of Hypothesis' Learning Management System (LMS) app. Educators have increasingly adopted the platform to bring annotation into their courses within a controlled environment that supports student privacy, automatic account creation, rostering, and grading workflows.

The LMS app now accounts for the majority of Hypothesis usage and remains the primary way students access the service. Notably, the changes to Via will not impact how educators and students use Hypothesis through their LMS, ensuring continuity for this important user segment.

Restructuring Via for Security and Future Development

Going forward, Hypothesis will restrict Via's use to core websites whose access is supported through direct partnerships with the company. This strategic shift aims to enhance the security and reliability of the platform while allowing the development team to focus on future initiatives that benefit the broader community.

"During this period, other methods of accessing the Hypothesis web app have grown substantially," the company explained in its announcement. "Many users rely on our Chrome extension or use the Bookmarklet to load Hypothesis on any webpage. We've seen steady growth in the number of sites that embed Hypothesis directly."

Open Source Pathways and Partnership Opportunities

Despite the restrictions, Hypothesis emphasizes that its code to run Via remains open source. The company welcomes others who wish to run the service on their own domains, providing a pathway for organizations that require the functionality outside of the official partnership model.

For those interested in maintaining Via access, Hypothesis encourages them to explore partnership opportunities through Publisher Groups or to discuss other potential collaborations with the team.

Implications for the Annotation Ecosystem

This restructuring reflects a maturation of the web annotation ecosystem. As annotation tools move from novelty to mainstream adoption, platform providers are increasingly focusing on sustainable models that balance accessibility with security and resource allocation.

The shift also highlights the growing importance of direct integrations between annotation platforms and content publishers, moving beyond proxy-based solutions to more deeply embedded annotation experiences. As digital conversations become increasingly integral to knowledge work, these architectural decisions will shape how we collectively engage with and annotate online content.

For developers and organizations relying on Via, the coming months will require planning either to establish a formal partnership with Hypothesis or to self-host the Via service. Either path ensures continued access to the functionality while aligning with Hypothesis' evolving strategic direction.

Source: https://web.hypothes.is/blog/changes-to-via-hypothesis-proxy-server-for-annotation/