Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin is speaking out again about the problems with today’s internet. In a recent post on social media platform X, he urged developers to build better online tools that focus on privacy, user control, and long-term well-being. He believes the current internet is too focused on profit and not enough on people.

Buterin says the internet is dominated by what he calls “corposlop” — a mix of slick branding and aggressive business tactics designed to keep users hooked and collect as much data as possible. These tactics often include algorithms that create addiction through endless scrolling, outrage-driven content, and flashy notifications. The result, he warns, is a dull, repetitive digital world where users have less power and more distractions.

He also called out big tech companies for collecting massive amounts of personal data and creating “walled gardens” — platforms that trap users inside closed systems. These platforms charge high fees, block outside competition, and give users very little real control over their own information or experience. Buterin believes this setup gives too much power to a few big players and makes it hard for users to truly own their digital lives.

In the past, the idea of digital freedom mostly meant avoiding government censorship. But Buterin says it now also means protecting our minds from manipulative designs and business models that try to control our choices. Real digital freedom should allow people to think clearly and act independently. To get there, he says we need tools that use encryption and privacy-focused tech to shield users from attention-grabbing tricks and data harvesting.

He even gave credit to Bitcoin supporters for being early champions of this mindset. They pushed back against risky projects and financial schemes that could weaken Bitcoin’s independence.

Looking ahead, Buterin shared a vision for what he calls a “sovereign web.” This would be an internet made up of apps that protect privacy, work well without big middlemen, and support fair, long-term value creation — not just quick profits from speculation. He also wants to see open AI systems that help people make better decisions instead of turning them into passive users.

Buterin’s message is part of a growing movement in the crypto and Web3 world. More developers are now focusing on creating a fairer, more ethical internet — one where people have true control over their data, attention, and online experiences.