We all know the internet is broken

The internet was meant to make your life better. But it's all gone wrong. All the people we should be able to trust – our health services, our schools, our public libraries, broadcasters and information providers – are operating on commercial surveillance platforms designed to turn our privacy into profit.

But it can be fixed

dotPublic will be a new public service layer of the internet, a digital public space guided by shared human principles rather than commercial interests. It will be a civic domain where essential services will be held to the highest standards of trust, permanence and accountability.

Our vision

We are building a new, trustworthy digital environment that will sit alongside the current internet. Think of it as a parallel civic layer, governed in the public interest, and designed to protect citizens, not exploit them.

We believe that public digital infrastructure, made universally accessible and free from commercial interference, is as essential today as the provision of roads and hospitals were to previous generations.

Who we are

dotPublic is guided by advisors whose credibility, public voice, and strategic guidance help shape our direction and strengthen our position in broader debates about digital infrastructure, AI ethics, and civic technology.

The dotPublic Research Programme is based at Trinity College Dublin, who provide academic governance, oversight of the research methodology, and the publication of findings. The programme will be co-led by Professor Dave Lewis and Tony Ageh. The university will also act as fiscal administrator for any grants that support the research programme.

Advisors

  • Cory Doctorow – Ethics and public advocacy
  • Desiree Milošević – Internet governance and DNS policy
  • Kate Crawford – AI research and social impact
  • Martin Eve, Open publishing infrastructure
  • Meredith Broussard – Ethical AI and public interest technology
  • Michele Coleman Mayes – Legal strategy and governance
  • Tony Curzon Price – Governance and standards
  • Tracey Brown OBE – Evidence and public policy
  • William Perrin – Public policy and strategic partnerships

Your role

We would like you to join us in turning this vision into a reality.

Please contact us to get involved.