Web4: The internet vision that the EU wants to build

When we reflect on the evolution of the internet, we usually identify two main eras: Web1.0 and Web2.0. But the global conversation has already advanced toward new frontiers. Web3 emerged as a decentralized alternative to tech giants, but now Web4 positions itself as the next evolutionary step. The European Union has not only taken note of this transformation but has also presented its own comprehensive strategy to guide this change. This analysis explores what Web4 means, how the EU plans to lead it, and the regulatory challenges ahead.

Beyond Web3: What Truly Defines Web4?

To understand Web4, we first need to situate where we are in the history of the internet. In the Web1.0 era, individuals created content accessible to anyone, but the experience was mainly read-only. With Web2.0 came mass commercialization: tech companies took control of platforms and data, centralizing power significantly. This raised legitimate concerns about privacy, monopolies, and content control.

Web3 emerged as a response to these issues. Powered by blockchain and cryptocurrencies, it promises to give control back to users through decentralized networks. However, Web3’s proposal suffers from a fundamental flaw: it is obsessed with the technology itself, neglecting the practical user experience. It is too complex, too technical, and too inaccessible for most people.

Web4 aims to correct this course. It would inherit Web3’s decentralized infrastructure but emphasize user experience, social accessibility, and practical impact. The European Commission defines Web4 as the convergence of three transformative forces: artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain technology, virtual worlds, and extended reality capabilities. It is not just a technical update but an integrated ecosystem where technology serves people, not the other way around.

Seven Characteristics That Define Web4

Advocates of Web4 highlight several core principles. First, users would regain genuine control over their data and privacy—not just as a theoretical promise but as an operational reality. Second, the infrastructure would be decentralized and blockchain-based, avoiding bottlenecks of centralized servers. Third, a token economy with authentic incentive mechanisms would be implemented to reward meaningful participation.

Additionally, Web4 would seek to effectively protect content creators, strengthen network security against attacks and fakes, and foster genuine community participation. Finally, users would actively participate in governance infrastructure, having a voice in decisions affecting the ecosystem. In summary, Web4 represents a fundamental reorientation: the internet evolves from platforms controlled by corporations toward networks where power is distributed among users and communities.

The Seven Pillars That Differentiate Web4 from Web3

Although Web4 builds upon Web3, the differences are substantial. Let’s start with the fundamental emphasis: Web3 prioritizes technical decentralization and blockchain technology. Web4, on the other hand, prioritizes user experience without sacrificing decentralization. These are different focuses.

In technical terms, Web3 is based on blockchain and cryptocurrencies. Web4 incorporates these technologies but complements them with artificial intelligence, semantic web, and tools that make the ecosystem smarter and more adaptive. In terms of value proposition, Web3 aims to build decentralized networks as an end in itself. Web4 wants ordinary users to truly participate and benefit—not just in theory but in everyday practice.

Technological maturity is another contrast: Web3 still faces unresolved fundamental challenges and exists in an experimental phase. Web4 is envisioned as a future vision built upon the foundations established by Web3. Business models also diverge. Web3 mainly depends on tokens and crypto-economics. Web4 could hybridize with traditional models to achieve real sustainability.

Finally, their regulatory philosophies differ profoundly. Web3 tends toward anti-regulatory and libertarian stances, distrusting the state. Web4 will presumably face government regulation at various levels. Regarding risk management: Web3 relies on code as law and aligned incentives to prevent problems. Web4 values corporate social responsibility as a necessary complement. Overall, Web4 has a broader scope, more ambitious goals, and more humanist ideals than Web3.

The EU Strategy to Guide Web4

The European Union is not passively observing these changes. The European Commission has published a deliberate Web4 strategy that reveals a sophisticated regulatory philosophy. This strategy is built on three fundamental pillars.

The first pillar is informed caution. The EU recognizes the inherent risks of Web3: privacy vulnerabilities, security threats, and potential negative externalities. But instead of rejecting Web4, it seeks to guide it through smart frameworks. A June survey by YouGov and Consensys found that only 8% of Europeans feel familiar with Web3. This knowledge gap reinforces the EU’s determination not to let the Web2 story repeat: large platforms concentrating power without oversight.

The second pillar is balanced oversight. The EU plans to implement some regulatory supervision over Web4, but not total laissez-faire or absolute repression. Learning from past mistakes, the Commission aims to establish clear standards, implement real-name authentication to ensure traceability, and strengthen platform accountability for user-generated content. It would especially protect minors and vulnerable communities from harmful content.

The third pillar is empowering users. The EU’s strategy emphasizes that users should maintain genuine control over their personal data, not be passive subjects in a new ecosystem. It seeks to promote a responsible, sustainable, and inclusive digital environment where innovation thrives but risks are actively managed.

Challenges Facing Web4 Regulation

Despite its clear vision, the EU faces formidable challenges. First, there is heterogeneity within the union itself. Member states show different levels of caution toward emerging technologies like Web3 and the metaverse. Synchronizing these differing positions requires ongoing political negotiation.

Second, the EU perceives that Web3 has rushed ahead: emphasizing technology without fully considering social risks. This creates tension between advocates of accelerated innovation and protectors of safety. Third, the EU is developing a new Digital Services Act that would impose greater responsibilities on internet companies and social networks. This legislation will be experimental, creating uncertainty about its practical implementation.

Fourth, the EU’s regulatory measures will have a global impact. Other countries will observe the European model and likely replicate or adapt it. This amplifies the EU’s responsibility to get it right. Fifth, the EU must reconcile conflicting national interests while navigating technological uncertainty. How strict should regulation be? Where is the balance between fostering innovation and controlling risks? These questions lack simple answers.

A New Regulatory Era for the Internet

In conclusion, the EU is taking an active role in shaping Web4, not letting it develop spontaneously. It is more concerned with social risks than tech companies, intervening at the regulatory level to proactively guide development. Although the path remains uncertain, it is clear we are witnessing the emergence of a new regulatory order for the digital economy.

The EU’s experience will serve as a crucial reference for other countries and regions. If it manages to balance innovation with protection, it could offer a model that avoids Web2’s mistakes without unnecessary suppression. Web4 will not only be a technological revolution but also a political and regulatory one. The next decade will determine whether the EU’s vision of Web4 materializes or if new unexpected dynamics emerge. What is clear is that Web4 deserves global attention.