URLile
URLile is a proposed web infrastructure concept designed to enhance privacy and durability of URLs by decoupling identity from destination and adding a verifiable mapping layer. It envisions a decentralized registry of URL mappings that can be queried over privacy-preserving networks, with cryptographic proofs that mappings are authentic and up to date. The system aims to coexist with existing DNS and HTTP(S) but offers an alternative path for sensitive URL lookups.
Origin and development: First described in technical white papers in the early 2020s by researchers affiliated
Technology overview: URLile uses a distributed registry, where each URL name resolves to a pointer that is
Criticism and limitations: Critics note potential performance overhead, risk of fragmentation if adopted unevenly, and governance
Adoption status: As of now, URLile remains experimental and not widely deployed; interest centers on privacy
See also: DNS, DoH, DoT, URL, privacy-preserving networking.