The state of HTTP in 2022

In 2022, there were significant updates and advancements made in the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), an essential communication protocol used on the web. These developments ranged from new security features to improvements in intermediation capabilities. Some of the key highlights included: 1. Intermediation-focused work: The MASQUE Working Group enabled more efficient tunneling, while Oblivious HTTP added privacy protection layers for users. 2. Privacy Pass adoption: This authentication scheme was widely deployed by Apple to protect user data and improve their browsing experience. The future of HTTP development in 2023 may involve improvements to existing header structures, better testing infrastructure, and potential support for real-time communication protocols such as WebSockets or WebTransport. Overall, the continuous evolution of HTTP ensures that it remains compatible with the ever-growing digital landscape while addressing emerging security and privacy concerns.