RFC 8890 – The Internet is for End Users (2020)
Mark Nottingham discusses RFC 8890, which asserts that the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) should prioritize the needs of end users in its technical decision-making. The piece explains the IETF's 'rough consensus' model and its historical role in shaping internet protocols.
Why it matters
It highlights the ongoing tension between corporate interests and user-centric design in the governance of global internet infrastructure.
Hi, I’m Mark Nottingham. I write about the Web, protocol design, HTTP, Internet governance, and more. This is a personal blog, it does not represent anyone else. Find out more .
Comments? Let's talk on Mastodon. @mnot@techpolicy.social
The Internet Architecture Board (IAB) has published RFC8890, The Internet is for End Users , arguing that the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) should ground its decisions in what’s good for people who use the Internet, and that it should take positive steps to achieve that.
Why does this need to be said? Is it going too far? Who else could they favour, and why should you care? As author of the RFC and a member of the IAB that passed it, here are my thoughts.
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