#FreeWebSearch Day: Advocating for Transparent and Open Internet Search
Open access to online content is a prerequisite for freedom of information and democracy. #FreeWebSearch Day on 29 September is drawing attention to this worldwide. With campaigns and events, the day of action will highlight the importance of an open and fair web search and call for worldwide participation and commitment.
A Global Call for Transparent Search
The Open Search Foundation (OSF), based in Starnberg, has initiated this international awareness day to promote a free and transparent web search ecosystem. #FreeWebSearch Day unites all people wishing to stand up for free web search. Its main target is to support an open and transparent internet search. The action day will highlight the strong influence internet search has on all of us – and why its freedom and transparency are key to our democracies”, says Christine Plote, co-founder and member of the board of the OSF.
To support this initiative, OSF is inviting companies, schools, universities, and civil society organisations to contribute through various events, discussions, and activities centered around open internet search.
Much power, little transparency
The dominant presence of tech giants such as Alphabet (Google), Microsoft, Yandex, and Baidu raises concerns about the control they exert over the digital information landscape. Approximately 90% of global internet users rely on Google for their searches (source: gs.Statcounter.com), yet these companies operate with minimal transparency regarding their search indexes and ranking algorithms. This lack of disclosure impacts what information users encounter, thereby shaping public perception and decision-making processes.
Beyond influencing search results, these major platforms also collect and utilise user data for advertising purposes. Users remain largely unaware of the extent of data collection, storage, and commercialisation involved. The #FreeWebSearch Day aims to educate the public on these practices and advocate for alternatives that prioritise privacy and openness.
Integrating Search Literacy into Education
A core objective of #FreeWebSearch Day is to foster search literacy. Many internet users assume that the top search results are the most relevant and trustworthy, despite lacking knowledge of the ranking mechanisms behind them. As Christine Plote emphasises, “Freedom of information is the foundation of a functioning democracy. Yet, awareness of how search algorithms operate remains alarmingly low.” To address this gap, OSF calls for integrating search literacy into educational curricula at schools and universities. Teaching how search engines rank information, interpret images, and utilise artificial intelligence is crucial in an era increasingly driven by AI-powered search technologies and large language models (LLMs).
Get Involved: Events, Hackathons, and More
The #FreeWebSearch Day provides an opportunity for diverse groups to contribute in various ways:
- Organise or attend events: Schools, universities, and organisations can host discussions, lectures, or workshops on the impact of search engines.
- Join hackathons: IT professionals and programmers can collaborate on technical solutions, such as developing an open web index.
- Spread awareness online: Individuals can engage by sharing #FreeWebSearch Day content on social media, sparking conversations about the importance of open web search.
Building an Open Web Index
A major ongoing effort by OSF is the creation of an open and transparent web index. This initiative, supported by scientific computing centers and researchers across Europe, aims to provide an ethical and user-centric alternative to corporate-controlled search engines. “A sustainable web search must respect user privacy while offering fair and unbiased access to online content,” states Plote. An open web index would serve as a foundation for new digital services, ensuring diversity and neutrality in information retrieval.
Join the Movement
To stay informed and participate in the #FreeWebSearch Day, visit www.FreeWebSearch.org for the latest updates and event listings.
About the Open Search Foundation
The Open Search Foundation e.V. (OSF) is a European non-profit initiative dedicated to fostering fair and transparent alternatives to mainstream search engines. Since its founding in 2018, OSF has been working toward an open search index that prioritises ethics and European values. Learn more at www.opensearchfoundation.org.
