W3C publishes draft standard for accessing data across web services
A new draft specification proposes a common way for applications to securely access user data stored across different online services.
The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) has published the First Public Working Draft of the Linked Web Storage Protocol 1.0, a proposed standard that defines how applications can securely access and manage data stored across the web.
At its core, the specification introduces a system in which data is not locked inside a single application but is stored separately and accessed when needed. This means that instead of each platform keeping its own copy of user data, applications can request access to data stored elsewhere, provided they have the necessary permissions.
The protocol defines how this access should work in practice. It sets out rules for identifying users and applications, verifying their identity, and determining whether they are allowed to access specific data. This includes mechanisms for authentication, which confirm who is making a request, and authorisation, which determines what they are allowed to do.
It also describes how data is organised and managed. Information is structured into containers, similar to folders, which can hold different types of data, such as documents or images. Applications can perform basic actions on this data, including creating, reading, updating, and deleting resources, using standard web methods.
Another key feature is interoperability. The protocol is designed so that different services can use the same rules to access and exchange data, even if they are built by different providers. This is supported by common formats, such as JSON-based representations, and standard web technologies like HTTP.
The draft also places emphasis on security and privacy. Data owners can choose whether their data is public, private, or shared with specific users or applications. Access is controlled through tokens and permissions, reducing the risk of unauthorised use.
As a First Public Working Draft, the document is an early version of the standard and is open for feedback. It does not yet represent a final or endorsed specification but is intended to guide further development.
