About on Freenet

Podcast

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The Freenet podcast, Decentralize Everything, explores the ideas, technology, and people behind building a decentralized internet.

May 1, 2026 - Podcast: Decentralize Everything, Episode 2: Can we decentralize Git with Freenet?
April 28, 2026 - Podcast: Decentralize Everything, Episode 1: How Do You Trust Someone You've Never Met?

Freenet's History

Mon, 24 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

History of Freenet

Introduction

Freenet has a long and somewhat complicated 25-year history. This page aims to clarify the timeline and the relationship between various projects that have evolved from the original Freenet.

Timeline and Evolution

The Birth of Freenet

Freenet was initially developed in 1999 at the University of Edinburgh by Ian Clarke. It was conceived as a decentralized system for anonymous information storage and retrieval. Over time, the project evolved significantly, incorporating various rewrites and improvements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Mon, 24 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

What is Freenet?
How does Freenet work?
What is the project’s history?
How do the previous and current versions of Freenet differ?
Will the new Freenet be backwards compatible with the old Freenet?
Why was Freenet rearchitected and rebranded?
How does Freenet compare to other decentralized systems?
Who is behind Freenet?
How does Freenet handle harmful content?
What is the status of Freenet?
Can I follow Freenet on social media?
How can I financially support Freenet development?
How do I uninstall Freenet?
Why does the Freenet project use and mention AI tools?

Freenet is a fully decentralized, peer-to-peer network and a drop-in replacement for the world wide web. It operates as a global shared computer, providing a platform for sophisticated decentralized software systems. Freenet allows developers to create decentralized alternatives to centralized services, including messaging, social media, email, and e-commerce. It’s designed for simplicity and flexibility and can be used seamlessly through your web browser. The platform’s user-friendly decentralized applications are scalable, interoperable, and secured with cryptography.

Video Talks

Mon, 24 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Here you will find a collection of video talks about Freenet.

May 1, 2026 - Podcast: Decentralize Everything, Episode 2: Can we decentralize Git with Freenet?
April 28, 2026 - Podcast: Decentralize Everything, Episode 1: How Do You Trust Someone You've Never Met?
March 28, 2026 - Ian Clarke Answers Your Questions About Freenet
February 6, 2026 - Freenet Lives! Real-Time Decentralized Applications at Scale
August 22, 2024 - Ghost Keys: Building Cypherpunk Reputation Systems with Ian Clarke of Freenet
June 10, 2024 - How Freenet Works
September 7, 2023 - How to Build Apps on Freenet
September 13, 2022 - Ian Interviewed by Louis Rossman