Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin recently shared strong thoughts about the current state of the internet, agreeing with Bitcoin supporters on one key idea: we’re losing control over our digital lives. He believes today’s internet is quietly taking away user privacy and freedom, mostly through big corporations and their platforms.

Buterin explained that digital sovereignty isn’t just about resisting governments. It’s also about keeping our data, attention, and choices safe from profit-driven tech companies. He pointed out how many websites and apps are designed to grab attention, collect personal data, and limit what users can do — all while looking helpful on the surface.

This perspective came after a post by X user Tom Kruise, who predicted the internet would split into three parts: an “open web” where people have freedom, a locked-down “fortress web” controlled by big companies or governments, and a smaller “sovereign web” focused on privacy and user control. Buterin agreed with most of this view and emphasized the need to focus more on systems that truly put users first.

He used the term “corposlop” to describe today’s internet — a mix of corporate control, flashy design, and subtle tricks that limit user choice. Examples include social media feeds designed to keep you scrolling, platforms that block links to other sites, and news content that avoids risk or controversy. While these seem convenient, Buterin said they’re slowly reducing our freedom online.

Buterin praised early Bitcoin supporters for spotting these risks early on. Their goal was to keep Bitcoin independent from companies and centralized systems. However, he noted they often relied too much on strict rules or government pressure rather than building tools that empower users.

This lines up with Buterin’s past concerns about major platforms like X (formerly Twitter). In recent months, he’s criticized how the platform promotes outrage through its algorithms and how its new features could expose vulnerable users by revealing their location.

Looking ahead, Buterin wants the internet to shift toward tools that protect privacy and give users more control. This includes apps that store data locally instead of sending it to big companies, social media that lets users decide what they see, and financial tools that don’t push risky behavior. He also supports AI systems that help humans rather than replace them — especially if they’re open-source and privacy-focused.

Zac Williamson, founder of the privacy-based blockchain Aztec, agrees. He’s said that today’s internet turns users into products by chasing attention, and that fixing this will take effort and tough choices. But cryptography and decentralized technology could help rebuild trust and give users more power.

Still, not everyone is optimistic. Some in the crypto community say blockchain projects have started to copy the same corporate tactics they were supposed to avoid. But there’s hope that this is just a phase and can be changed.

For Buterin, this is more than just a technical problem — it’s a cultural one. He believes we need to build digital tools that protect privacy, reduce manipulation, and let people think and act freely. His message is clear: stop using systems that take away your control. Start using software designed to give it back.