Web4 is not an upgraded version of Web3, but a new imagination of the internet by the European Union.

The internet is evolving. From the information flow of Web1.0, to the platform monopoly of Web2.0, and then to the blockchain decentralization of Web3.0, the European Union has introduced a new concept: Web4.0.

What is Web4? Simply put, it is these three sentences.

Web3 plays with technology, Web4 plays with experience. Web3 talks about Blockchain, tokens, and DeFi all day long, leaving ordinary users confused—surveys show that only 8% of people claim to understand Web3. In contrast, Web4 has even bigger ambitions: it not only inherits the Decentralization technology of Web3 but also adds AI, the Internet of Things, and the virtual world, with the core goal of making it accessible for ordinary people to participate.

Users truly control their own data and privacy. In the Web2 era, your data was completely consumed by platform companies. Web4 aims to change this situation — you are in charge of your data, and the platform can only use it with your consent.

Economic incentives become transparent. Token economy, community governance, creator protection… these are no longer exclusive games for blockchain geeks, but an ecosystem that ordinary creators can also participate in and benefit from.

7 Core Differences Between Web3 and Web4

In simple terms: Web3 is like a technological revolution, while Web4 aims to make this revolution part of everyday life.

The EU's Web4 Strategy: Avoiding the Mistakes of Web2

Why does the EU want to specifically mention Web4? Because they have seen through a fact: How Web2 evolved from freedom to monopoly, Web3 must not repeat the same mistake.

The 10 strategies of the EU are based on these core logics:

1. Learn from the lessons of Web2.0

• Web2 allows several tech giants to control the entire internet, resulting in privacy being trampled and small creators being oppressed.
• Web4 must establish institutional protection from the starting point, so that it won't be monopolized by a few new giants later.

2. Privacy and security must be built-in

• Users control data (not the platform)
• Child protection and anti-hate speech must have clear rules.
• The real-name authentication system ensures traceability.

3. Finding the Balance Between Innovation and Regulation

• It is not a one-size-fits-all ban, but rather proactive guidance.
• The Digital Services Act requires internet and social platforms to take greater responsibility.
• Different technological tracks require different levels of regulation

4. Return power to the users

• Data Sovereignty
• Community Governance
• Creators receive reasonable returns

The Real Dilemmas Faced by the EU

It's easy to say nice things, but how about execution? The challenges faced by the EU:

High technological uncertainty. AI, the Internet of Things, Blockchain, the virtual world, these technologies are rapidly evolving, and regulatory policies are lagging behind.

There are internal divergences. The 27 member states have inconsistent attitudes towards Web3, the metaverse, and unifying rules is difficult.

How to define risk. What is “harmful content”? What is “excessive centralization”? These concepts are too vague and prone to execution bias.

Will affect the global landscape. The EU's regulations may become global standards (just like GDPR), which means that the EU's choices will constrain the development direction of global Web4.

Why This Matters to You

To be honest, the EU is regulating Web4, which is essentially redefining the power structure of the internet. In the future, whether your actions on a platform are tracked, whether your data is sold, and whether creators can receive fair compensation… all of these will be influenced by the EU's decisions.

Moreover, regulators in other countries and regions are observing how the EU is proceeding. Therefore, Web4 is not only a technical issue but also a power issue.

This is what truly deserves attention.