[FOSDEM] Decentralized Internet and Privacy Devroom at FOSDEM 2026: Call for Participation

[dllud]

Decentralized Internet and Privacy Devroom at FOSDEM 2026
=========================================================

https://decentral.community/FOSDEM2026/  -  https://fosdem.org/2026

The Internet landscape is evermore on it’s steadfast course towards 
surveillance and centralization. Video content and streaming out of CDNs 
now account for half of all global traffic; splinternets are now a 
thing, from China to South Korea, from Russia to Iran; mandatory 
backdoors on communication platforms are just around the conner with 
EU’s Chat Control.
In this scenario, where most Internet connected devices have become 
tools of imprisonment rather than liberation, reviving the old Internet 
ethos of peer-to-peer (P2P) and private communication is of uttermost 
importance.

Taking a modest but nonetheless important step, we hereby come to 
announce the revival of the Decentralized Internet and Privacy Devroom 
at FOSDEM 2026.
This devroom welcomes talks from all technical projects and initiatives 
which foster decentralization and privacy on the Internet, or try to 
replace it for something new altogether. We also welcome those working 
on securing the devices, operating systems and user-facing software we 
use to access The Net.

Scope of Talks
==============
Presentation topics may include:
- ad-hoc and mesh networks
- cryptography-based network stacks
- anonymous overlay networks

- community run ISPs and networks
- decentralized/federated network protocols and platforms
- cryptography-based network protocols (e.g. public key as identity)
- decentralized instant messaging, video/file sharing and content storage

- self-hosting and community-hosting solutions
- minimalistic browsers
- privacy preserving browsers and extensions
- privacy oriented operating systems

Format
======
Talks are expected to be technical and no more than 20-25 min long. 
Total time with Q&A and moderation should stay under 30 min.
50 min long talks (plus 10 min for Q&A and moderation) may be accepted 
on an exceptional basis, if the topic at hand brings enough novelty to 
warrant a deep technical dive.
Speakers may submit multiple talks.

Requirements
============
All talks should be held in English.
Talks as well as Q&As will be recorded and later published in the FOSDEM 
website. They may be also livestreamed. By hosting a talk, you agree to 
the publication of its recordings, slides and other content under the CC 
BY 2.0 BE license.
While attending FOSDEM, you are required to adhere to the FOSDEM Code of 
Conduct.

Submission
==========
https://fosdem.org/submit

Talks should be submitted on the FOSDEM pretalx making sure to select 
“Decentralized Internet and Privacy” in the Track dropdown.
Use the submission notes to let us know about:
- the talk duration (25 min or 50 min)
- links to code, slides or other resources for the talk

Key dates
========
Submission deadline: December 7 2025, 23:59 CET
Announcement of selected talks: December 15 2025
Devroom day: Sunday, February 1 2026 (full day)

Contacts
========
You can reach us at #cdc-public:dod.ngo on Matrix.
This room is bridged to #critical-decentralization on hackint IRC server.
Email: decentralized-internet-and-privacy-devroom-manager at fosdem.org

See you in Brussels,
Cheers!
dllud