Web 2.0

Web 2.0 refers to the second generation of the internet, characterized by the emergence of social media, user-generated content, and interactive web applications. In contrast to the static, one-way communication of Web 1.0, Web 2.0 enables users to actively participate in online communities and contribute to the development of web content. In the world of DeFi, the emergence of Web 2.0 has played a significant role in shaping the rising landscape of decentralized finance and driving its growth.

Web 2.0 is a term coined in the early 2000s to describe the evolution of the internet from a static, read-only platform to a dynamic, interactive one - a shift that was driven by advances in web technologies. Web 2.0 presented a more open and communicative network, in which people could communicate with each other within seconds and actively participate in online communities (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, blogs, forums), which allowed more users to create new content.

But Web 2.0 has also had a significant impact on the DeFi ecosystem. First, the increased participation of users has resulted in a growing community that is actively involved in the development and adoption of new DeFi products and services. Considering the fact that Web 2.0 is centralized, the idea of decentralization kept growing.

Second, the development of intuitive and user-friendly interfaces has helped to improve the overall user experience of DeFi applications, making them more accessible to a broader audience. Lastly, the emergence of Web 2.0 has facilitated the more efficient development of DeFi applications, allowing developers to leverage existing open-source software and tools to build new applications and services, reducing development time and costs, and setting the foundation for the next evolution of the web – Web 3.0.

Web Comparison

In the context of DeFi, Web 2.0 refers to the use of centralized platforms to provide users with access to financial services. These platforms are typically owned and operated by a single entity, and users must trust that entity to manage their assets and provide them with a secure and reliable service.

PROs

• Web 2.0 can provide users with a familiar and user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate
• Thanks to Web 2.0, DeFi applications can be developed more efficiently through the use of existing open-source software and tools
• Web 2.0 increased user participation in the development and adoption of DeFi products and services

CONs

• Centralized Web 2.0 platforms are vulnerable to hacking and other forms of cyber-attack, which can result in the loss of user funds
• They are also vulnerable to corruption or abuse of power, due to the fact that they are often run by a single entity
• Centralized platforms can be more expensive to use than their decentralized alternatives, as they often charge higher fees to cover their operating costs and generate profits for their owners

The main issues of Web 2.0 are data privacy and security concerns. Indeed, there has been plenty of reporting on private data leaks from companies using Web 2.0.  In order to protect your data, it is necessary to pay attention to data collection practices, privacy policies and security measures. Often, Web 2.0-based entities collect a lot of information about you that they do not even necessarily need, but which they can sell to others. To keep your information and data safe, Web 3.0 is clearly a better option, as it has brought about the creation of new technologies and innovations that are focused on improving the safety of its users' information and privacy. One major development is that web platforms use decentralized blockchain technologies and can therefore provide a transparent view of how they work.