[blhack]

Web3 replaces storing things on webservices which are run by companies like Facebook or Twitter with storing things on blockchains.

So yes, it is a crypto thing in the sense that it uses blockchain technology as the storage medium (sortof). You still need somewhere to store the data, but you can put pointers to those storage locations on chain.

Web2: Twitter knows the URL to your avatar and decided what it is (usually they listen to you).

Web3: The blockchain knows the URL to your avatar. You decide what it is and nobody can (practically) stop you.

[giantrobot]

> Web3: The blockchain knows the URL to your avatar. You decide what it is and nobody can (practically) stop you.

A blockchain knows some URL recorded in the transaction. You have to hope whatever service you want to use cares about that blockchain and the URL actually points to a usable and accessible resource. You can't store the avatar itself without it being stupid expensive so all you've got space for is a URL.

The same exact thing could be done with a regular URL. You point $random_service to your avatar URL or even a vCard and it can access your data. No rainforests need to be burnt down or polar bears need to be drowned.

[blhack]

If the service hosting my avatar decides to stop hosting my avatar, I can then change the url to something else because I actually own the pointer.

[alphabettsy]

If you own the domain and self-host you can do this already.

[blhack]

Obviously the FBI can seize your domain, which has happened plenty of times.

But also: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=17083333

You don’t own a domain, you rent it.

[giantrobot]

You only "own" something on a blockchain so long as someone cares about that blockchain. Your keys can also be stolen or lost so your "ownership" is as tenuous as the security of your keys.

Blockchain content isn't much more permanent than content hosted on a traditional server.

[alphabettsy]

Is this a common problem that Web3 solves?

I understand it makes it more difficult, but they could seize your keys or your person and force you to turn over your keys.

Either way that seems like a legal issue, not a technology issue.