Splinternet: the fragmentation of the internet and the future of the web

The word "Armageddon", in the collective imagination, is a synonym for imminent catastrophe or unattainable disaster. While usually used in a religious context, we can borrow this term to describe a current phenomenon that is insidiously threatening the unity of the internet. Although the internet appears to be a unified and interconnected structure, the reality is much more complex. Recently, threats to freedom of information and communication are gradually transforming the internet into a segmented system.

Splinternet: the new face of the internet

The recent terminology of "splinternet" has been coined to illustrate this fragmentation of the Internet into self-contained segments, under the control of different governmental entities, national or corporate, with their own specific interests. Some nations, for example, have gone down the road of creating their own versions of the Internet to ensure national security. China, known for its "Great Firewall", restricts access to Western websites and social media, while Russia is developing a "sovereign internet" capable of disconnecting from the global web in the event of a crisis. At the same time, laws and regulations are influencing the way internet service providers and platforms handle data and content.

Impact and consequences of the Splinternet

The consequences of the splinternet are vast and complex. Some tech giants, such as Amazon, Google, and Microsoft, own their own cloud services and platforms, dominating certain industries and regions. These companies monitor a large portion of Internet traffic and can determine which applications and sites are available to users. This can lead to the formation of "closed ecosystems", limiting user choice. The splinternet can erode the fundamental principles of universality, openness and freedom of the Internet, as well as threaten basic human rights such as freedom of speech, access to information and privacy.

Safeguarding internet unity: a multi-stakeholder challenge

To combat the emerging fragmentation of the Internet, a multi-stakeholder approach to Internet governance is vital. Governments, the private sector, civil society, academics and technical experts must actively participate in the decision-making process. Global standards and norms are needed to protect users' rights and ensure the security and stability of the Internet. Finally, we must aim to increase users' awareness and digital literacy, to make them understand how the Internet works and how to protect their data. In this way, it will be possible to preserve the Internet as a magnificent creation of humanity, an open space of communication and creation on a global platform, rather than a battlefield for power and control.