Key Insight

Decentralized platforms for content will give more control to the people who originally created it, whether it be a social media post or a public speech. Think of this trend as a new way to build trust around critical information.

Why It Matters

Those political truth-o-meters that have become popular around the world in the past few years may soon be a thing of the past. That’s because blockchain technology allows for the creation of a distributed immutable record of information, which means that information can never be deleted or modified; taken out of context, sure—but not twisted or changed into something different.

Examples

Decentralized platforms for content pave the way for information to be recorded and distributed in a way that is visible to all and cannot be changed without changing all records across most users. A distribution channel leveraging blockchain technology could make it more difficult to censor and limit access to information. Content creators could use distribution channels that can guarantee that their content does not get altered, filtered or blocked by a third party.

What’s Next

We will soon have the ability to leverage blockchain-based platforms that can guarantee our content does not get manipulated or censored en route to its end consumers. Information archives or distribution companies—something akin to WikiLeaks, for example—will be able to disseminate information using a distributed system by recording the information on a blockchain ledger similar to Bitcoin’s. The blockchain would also ensure that the information does not become inaccessible if the host servers are disconnected.

The Impact

As misinformation continues to spread, immutable content could help restore the public’s trust.

Watchlist

Agora, Decent, Ethereum, Facebook, Internet Archive, reddit, Twitter, WikiLeaks, WordPress.