Who maintains and updates protocols for the World Wide Web?

The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) is the organization responsible for establishing and maintaining protocols and standards for the World Wide Web. Its goal is to promote web standards and ensure the long-term growth of the web by developing protocols that enhance the interoperability of web technologies. This encompasses various areas including web accessibility, semantic web standards, and technical specifications fundamental to web development, which aim to ensure that web content is universally accessible and functions across different devices and platforms.

IANA focuses primarily on the coordination of the global Internet's unique identifiers, while ICANN is primarily involved in domain name system management and IP address allocation. The Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) develops and promotes voluntary Internet standards, but its remit covers a wider range of Internet protocols beyond just the web. Thus, while all the other organizations have significant roles in the greater internet ecosystem, the W3C specifically addresses the standards that govern the World Wide Web itself.