Tag: information

Web3: What is it and what uses has it got?

Posted on by Comunicació

In recent years we’ve seen technology develop very fast, revolutionising the way we interact and share information via the internet. One new trend is the Web3 concept, an evolution of the current website which introduces a new paradigm based around decentralisation.

Web3, or the decentralised website, seeks to overcome the limitations of the current website, known as Web2. While Web2 is based on centralised architecture where data and control are mainly in the hands of companies and organisations, Web3 has the goal of decentralising this infrastructure and handing control to users through technologies such as blockchain and other distributed registry systems.

Web3 structure is conceived for uses such as:

1. Digital identity: With Web3, users can have greater control over their digital identity. Cryptographic systems mean each individual can have a unique identifier and verify their data without depending on a central authority. This can improve online security and privacy, as well as avoid fraud and identity supplantation.

2. Decentralised markets: The arrival of Web3 brings decentralised markets which allow users to exchange assets and services without the need for a central intermediary. These markets work through smart contracts, which are programmable agreements executed automatically when the established conditions are met. 

3. Internet of Things (IoT): Web3 may also have a significant impact on the Internet of Things. With decentralised infrastructure, connected devices can communicate directly without depending on central servers. This can improve the security and privacy of the data generated by IoT devices, reducing vulnerability to central attacks and minimising the dependency of companies on service providers.

4. Decentralised finance (DeFi): One of the most notable applications of Web3 is the development of DeFi platforms. These decentralised finance platforms enable users to conduct transactions, loans and other financial operations without the need for traditional intermediaries such as banks or finance institutions. 

5. Decentralised governance: Another important area of application for Web3 is decentralised governance, With the use of blockchain and decentralised voting systems it’s possible to foster citizen participation for collective decision-making.

With technologies such as blockchain and other distributed registry systems becoming more broadly adopted, Web3 is likely to continue to expand and open up new opportunities for collaboration, security and participation for all internet users.

How to spot fake news?

Posted on by Irene González

Internet forms part of our daily life and is often the place where much of our information comes from, be it the websites we view, social media or news items sent to us via WhatsApp by our friends and family.

This volume of information and the speed at which it circulates means information which has not previously been substantiated is understood to be true. To avoid getting led up the garden path and be able to stop this sort of information from circulating, here are some tools to help you spot that dreaded fake news.

Check information with different sources
The most immediate way of finding out if information is reliable or not is to compare it on different media or check it directly with the source cited in the news item. Some journalists have also set up initiatives such as Verificat, a website for cross-checking social media content on politics or relating to Covid-19 and other topics of public interest.

Check the veracity of the images

To check the real origin of a photo you can use reverse image searching tools such as Labnol and TinEye. All you need to do is upload the image you have your doubts about and introduce the URL. If the image belongs to another piece of information you will see the original publication and be able to see what it actually refers to. If it does not appear, this is a good sign as it means it does not belong to information published elsewhere in the past.

Another tool for those with a Sherlock Holmes inside them is the app Historical Weather, which you can use to check what the weather was like at the time and place the photo was supposedly taken. If the photo shows a radiant sun and Historical Weather tells you that it was raining all day in the place the photo was taken, it means somebody’s misleading you with that image.

If the news item comes with a video, you can verify it with InVid, a tool developed with European funding and which works as an extension to your browser. The app allows you to introduce the link to the video and shows you the information relating to it (when it was uploaded, a description, the channel where it is housed etc.). Those with more expertise can even manage to detect if the video has been manipulated by checking the consistency of the images.

If with all these tools you still have your doubts as to whether information is true or not, the best thing is not to share it and help stop the circulation of potential fake news that way.