Open Web: The movement toward a more open and user-controlled internet may be gaining momentum, as two major initiatives—Project Liberty and Solid—explore potential collaboration. At SXSW 2025, entrepreneur Frank McCourt, the founder of Project Liberty, revealed that his organization is in discussions with Tim Berners-Lee, the inventor of the World Wide Web, about integrating their efforts to decentralize online data control.
A Shared Vision for an Open Internet
Project Liberty is dedicated to building an open internet infrastructure that prioritizes user control over digital identities and personal data. The initiative is also making headlines for throwing its hat in the ring as a potential TikTok buyer. Meanwhile, Berners-Lee’s Solid project aims to give users sovereignty over their personal data through open-source Personal Online Data Stores (Pods).
During a panel discussion at SXSW, McCourt shared:
“We’ve talked to Tim Berners-Lee about Solid, and Project Liberty is compatible with Solid.”
While no official partnership was announced, McCourt hinted that ongoing discussions could lead to a future collaboration:
“We’re debating, or talking, right now about how to incorporate that—him and Solid, his Solid Pods—into the project.”
The Evolution of Solid and Its Mission
Berners-Lee first introduced Solid in 2018, working alongside a team at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The project later led to the founding of Inrupt, a startup built on Solid’s framework, with British engineer John Bruce at the helm.
Inrupt has since launched a privacy-focused platform for enterprises, allowing users to store and control their data within decentralized Pods. The initiative aligns closely with Project Liberty’s Decentralized Social Networking Protocol (DSNP), which aims to shift control away from centralized platforms and back to individuals.
A Potential Game-Changer for Decentralization
Although Project Liberty and Solid have yet to announce a formal collaboration, their shared mission to empower users makes their alignment a natural fit. Berners-Lee has already voiced support for Project Liberty’s efforts, especially its bid to acquire TikTok:
“This project has my support. The web I invented was to provide power and value to individuals, which they do not have at the moment.”
While Solid and Inrupt remain separate from Project Liberty’s efforts, the latter has already been making strides in decentralized networking. Its DSNP protocol is being adopted by various platforms, including:
- MeWe – a privacy-focused social network
- Soar.com – an AI-driven app studio founded by Ancestry.com’s Paul Allen
- Frequency – a permissionless blockchain developed by Project Liberty Labs
Expanding the Decentralized Ecosystem
Beyond the potential collaboration with Solid, Project Liberty is also teaming up with Free Our Feeds, an initiative dedicated to protecting the AT Protocol, which powers the decentralized Bluesky social network.
As conversations between Project Liberty and Solid continue, their potential partnership could mark a turning point for the decentralized web, giving users greater control over their digital identity, social interactions, and personal data.
Project Liberty and Solid: A Potential Partnership for a Decentralized Web
In a significant development for the future of digital privacy and web decentralization, two leading initiatives—Project Liberty and Solid—may be coming together to revolutionize how users control their data and digital identities. At SXSW 2025, entrepreneur Frank McCourt, the driving force behind Project Liberty, announced ongoing discussions with Tim Berners-Lee, the inventor of the World Wide Web, regarding a potential integration between Project Liberty and Solid, Berners-Lee’s open-source initiative focused on data sovereignty. This collaboration could mark a crucial step toward reshaping the internet into a more user-controlled and privacy-focused ecosystem.
Project Liberty and Its Mission(Open Web)
Founded by Frank McCourt, Project Liberty aims to build open internet infrastructure that prioritizes user privacy, decentralization, and transparency. One of its primary goals is to develop and promote the Decentralized Social Networking Protocol (DSNP), a framework designed to break the monopoly of centralized platforms and return data ownership to individuals. By creating an open-source alternative to traditional social media architectures, Project Liberty seeks to challenge Big Tech’s control over user-generated content and information.
The initiative has gained momentum, with support from developers, privacy advocates, and investors. Project Liberty is also throwing its hat in the ring as a potential buyer for TikTok, showcasing its ambition to reshape the digital landscape with an emphasis on decentralization.
Solid: The Vision of Tim Berners-Lee (Open Web)
Solid, a project led by Tim Berners-Lee, is an open-source platform that allows individuals to store their personal data in Personal Online Data Stores (Pods) rather than handing control over to centralized platforms like Facebook and Google. Solid Pods enable users to determine how their data is accessed and shared, ensuring greater security and transparency.
Berners-Lee and his startup Inrupt have been working on enterprise applications of Solid, focusing on privacy-first solutions that give users complete control over their digital footprints. Through Solid Pods, individuals can store everything from social media interactions to healthcare records while choosing who can access this data—an approach that directly aligns with the decentralized principles of Project Liberty.
A Potential Integration: What It Means for the Internet (Open Web)
During a panel at SXSW 2025, McCourt revealed that Project Liberty has been in talks with Berners-Lee about integrating Solid into its framework. Though no official partnership has been announced yet, McCourt confirmed that Project Liberty is fully compatible with Solid and that discussions about a potential collaboration are actively underway.
“We’re debating, or talking, right now about how to incorporate that—him and Solid, his Solid Pods—into the project,” McCourt shared during the panel.
Berners-Lee has publicly expressed his support for Project Liberty’s mission, particularly its potential role in reshaping social media and online communication. Backing Project Liberty’s bid for TikTok, he stated:
“The web I invented was to provide power and value to individuals, which they do not have at the moment.”
If an official collaboration materializes, the integration of Solid Pods within DSNP could create a powerful, privacy-first alternative to today’s centralized web.
Expanding the Decentralized Web: Who Else Is Involved? (Open Web)
The push for a more open and decentralized internet has attracted a growing number of supporters. Several key players are already working with Project Liberty to implement DSNP into their platforms:
- MeWe: A privacy-focused social media network integrating DSNP for decentralized communication.
- Soar.com: A venture founded by Paul Allen (Ancestry.com) to build decentralized applications.
- Frequency Blockchain: Developed by Project Liberty Labs, this permissionless blockchain supports DSNP.
Additionally, Project Liberty has recently partnered with Free Our Feeds, an advocacy initiative dedicated to protecting the AT Protocol, which powers the decentralized social platform Bluesky.
Why This Matters for Users (Open Web)
If Project Liberty and Solid officially collaborate, this could signal a major shift in how data is controlled on the web. Key benefits include:
- User Empowerment: Individuals would regain full control over their personal data, deciding who has access to their information.
- Privacy Protection: Eliminating centralized data collection would reduce risks of mass surveillance and data breaches.
- Interoperability: A decentralized protocol would allow users to seamlessly interact across different apps and platforms without being locked into a single company’s ecosystem.
- End of Big Tech Monopolies: By decentralizing social networking, users could finally break free from corporate-controlled platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
The Road Ahead (Open Web)
While an official Project Liberty + Solid partnership has not been confirmed, the ongoing discussions between Frank McCourt and Tim Berners-Lee indicate a strong interest in collaboration. If this partnership materializes, it could lay the groundwork for a more democratic, decentralized, and user-controlled internet.
With momentum building around decentralized protocols, this potential collaboration is a game-changer in the fight against Big Tech’s dominance over online spaces. The next few months could reveal groundbreaking advancements in how we interact with the web—and put control back in the hands of the people. (Open Web)
