The Internet Architecture Board (IAB) has published RFC 8890, arguing that the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) should prioritize the needs of end users in its decision-making. The IETF, responsible for designing and operating the Internet's core technologies, traditionally relies on 'rough consensus' and technical merit, ignoring political considerations often deemed 'layer 8'.

However, the RFC highlights that technical decisions have real-world political consequences, impacting power dynamics and affording or discouraging certain uses. Examples include the standardization of DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH) and proposals regarding encrypted client hello and HTTPS decryption, all of which involve balancing competing interests.

RFC 8890 suggests that relying solely on technical arguments for politically charged decisions undermines the IETF's legitimacy. The document calls for grounding decisions in explicit principles informed by shared values, such as equality, liberty, and rights, which have implicitly shaped the Internet's development. The RFC contributes by advocating for end users over other stakeholders when conflicts arise, urging the IETF to move beyond purely technical considerations.