Digital Decay: Preserving the Internet’s Fading Record
Introduction
Government websites have undergone significant transformations since the inauguration of President Donald Trump. While some changes are routine, such as updating presidential and vice-presidential biographies, others have raised concerns about the erosion of government information. Several websites, including USAID.gov, ReproductiveRights.gov, and the Spanish-language version of WhiteHouse.gov, have gone offline. Remaining sites have been purged of specific data and terminology in line with Trump’s executive orders targeting "gender ideology" and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
This phenomenon, known as digital decay or linkrot, poses a growing challenge to the preservation of our digital culture. As vast amounts of the internet disappear due to website closures, infrastructure upgrades, and the removal of outdated information, we risk losing critical historical records. A recent study by the Pew Research Center revealed that 38% of webpages that existed in 2013 are now unavailable.
The Wayback Machine: Archiving the Public Web
Mark Graham, director of the Wayback Machine, a non-profit organization dedicated to archiving the public web, expressed concern about the accelerating rate of digital decay, particularly in relation to government websites.
Graham explained that the Wayback Machine operates by deploying web crawlers to identify and download web pages and related resources continuously. This process results in the addition of billions of archived URLs to their database every day. These archives are accessible to the public through the Wayback Machine’s website (web.archive.org), where users can explore historical versions of web pages.
Government Websites: Erasing the Historical Record
The disappearance or alteration of government websites has raised concerns about the integrity of public information. Graham acknowledges that website changes are to be expected with each administration, as new leaders update content and policies. However, the recent removals and modifications of government websites have been more significant than in previous transitions.
The offline status of websites providing public health information, such as ReproductiveRights.gov, has been particularly troubling. These websites provide essential services and resources, and their removal limits public access to vital information.
The Importance of Internet Preservation
Graham emphasizes the importance of preserving the internet for future generations. He draws a parallel to the ephemeral nature of pamphlets during the Protestant Reformation. These pamphlets, once considered inconsequential, are now invaluable to scholars seeking to understand that historical period.
Similarly, today’s digital content may prove to be of immense importance in the future, even if it seems mundane or irrelevant at present. Losing access to these resources would hinder our ability to fully comprehend our past and present.
Funding and Challenges
The Wayback Machine and the Internet Archive, which hosts the Wayback Machine, rely primarily on donations to fund their archiving efforts. While this support has been generous, Graham acknowledges that there is always more to be done.
The sheer volume of content on the internet poses a significant challenge to comprehensive archiving. Additionally, the emergence of new technologies, such as encryption and dynamic web content, can make it difficult to capture and preserve all relevant data.
Conclusion
Digital decay is a growing threat to our collective memory. The loss of government websites, media outlets, and other digital resources undermines our ability to fully understand our history and culture. Organizations like the Wayback Machine play a crucial role in preserving the public web, but they need continued support to ensure that future generations have access to the digital legacy we leave behind.
