Which organization is recognized as the main international standards body for the World Wide Web?

The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) is recognized as the main international standards body for the World Wide Web because it is dedicated to developing protocols and guidelines that ensure the long-term growth of the Web. Established in 1994, the W3C brings together various stakeholders, including industry leaders, researchers, and developers, to establish standards and foster collaborative efforts aimed at promoting web interoperability.

W3C is instrumental in creating essential web standards such as HTML, CSS, and many other technologies that govern how web content is structured, presented, and accessed. By standardizing these technologies, W3C enables developers to build applications and websites that work seamlessly across different browsers and devices, ensuring a consistent user experience.

This role is crucial in maintaining the open nature of the web and ensuring it remains accessible to all users, irrespective of their devices or platforms. The organization's focus on adherence to standards helps prevent fragmentation of the web, which can arise when different organizations or entities develop their proprietary technologies.