Introducing the Meta-Layer Infrastructure SIG

SIG to Task Force Transition

The SIG is a two-year stewardship body, ensuring the Meta-Layer Initiative has early governance, global participation, and alignment with Desirable Properties. At the end of this period, the SIG will formally sunset, and its work will carry forward into a dedicated Task Force. This ensures continuity, agility, and the ability to manage RFC-style standards and infrastructure development.

From a two-year SIG to a permanent Task Force for interface-level governance.

🌍 What Is the Meta-Layer?

Where do annotations live? Where do tooltips appear? The Meta-Layer is this hidden space above the webpage—used today for popups and extensions, but rarely for civic purpose. We see it as the Internet’s missing trust layer: a place for visible values, contextual intelligence, and community tools that protect integrity online.

You’ve already seen it in action:

• Hypothesis 🖊️ (for social annotation)

• Honey 🛒 (for discount code overlays)

• Ad blockers, password managers, AI sidebars

These are early glimpses of what a meta-layer can be—a shared space above the web where people can think, meet, and build together.

The Overlooked Layer Above the Webpage

Alignment with the Internet Society

This SIG is the first global institution to steward interface-level digital agency and is now seeking official recognition by the Internet Society. It builds on ISOC’s mission to support an safe, secure, and trustworthy Internet - and expands it to include interface-level transparency, AI safety, and meaningful participation. This group will bridge emerging layers of technology with enduring values of trust and access.

We are now in an activation cycle.

The Meta-Layer Infra SIG will:

• Steward the Desirable Properties and govern the ongoing Meta-Layer Initiative

• Host live events and working groups

• Publish a Meta-Layer Use Case Fieldbook

• Develop governance models for overlays, presence, and trust signals

• Connect with other SIGs around interface-level AI safety

• Transition into a Meta-Layer Task Force

Building the Meta-Layer Together

Join the Founding Wave

We are assembling a founding team. Key roles include:

• Build community

• Promote awareness

• Working groups

• Builders and interns

• Active contributors and cross-SIG collaborators

All roles require ISOC membership (free and global). This is your chance to help architect the browser-based future of digital trust.

Be among the pioneers shaping the next evolution of the internet. As a Founding Wave supporter, you’ll receive this exclusive digital badge, a symbol of your early commitment to building a decentralized, interoperable and future ready digital ecosystem.

Founding Wave Badge

🌍 Join the Meta-Layer SIG

Step into the founding wave of the Meta-Layer Infrastructure SIG. This is your chance to help design the civic interface layer of the Internet and guide its transition into a long-term Task Force.

Quick Join Checklist:

1. ✅ Sign up: Onboarding Form

2. 💬 Join our WhatsApp group (invite shared after sign-up)

3. 🏷️ Claim your Founding Wave badge

4. 🧭 Join a working group shaping overlays, governance, and consent tools

5. 🔮 Contribute to the SIG → Task Force transition

Be part of our two-year journey and help shape the Task Force.