TLDR: Countries are creating a “Splinternet” by enforcing data localization and internet controls, with China’s Great Firewall as a model, leading to fragmented global connectivity.
This article is a summary of a You Tube video “35+ Countries Are Leaving the Global Internet?” by TechAltar
Key Takeaways:
- Global Splinternet Formation: The internet is transitioning from a global network to a fragmented collection of networks, influenced by countries enforcing data localization and internet controls.
- Early Initiatives by China and North Korea: The process began decades ago, with China and North Korea pioneering the segmentation of their digital spaces.
- Acceleration of National Controls: Recent years have seen a rapid increase in internet control by countries including Russia, Iran, Turkey, India, and others, with even the EU and US implementing similar policies.
- China’s Great Firewall: China connected to the global internet in 1994 and quickly started to regulate and censor online content, creating a semi-permeable firewall that selectively controls information flow.
- Techniques for Internet Control: Countries employ various methods for internet control, including blackouts during sensitive periods, content takedowns, IP blocking, and deep packet inspection.
- International Assistance in Splinternet Creation: Countries like China export technology and infrastructure to aid other nations in establishing their own controlled internet environments.
- Goal of a Self-Sufficient Internet: Many governments aim to create an independent domestic internet that can operate in isolation if necessary, following China’s model.
- Russia and Iran’s Isolation Efforts: Russia and Iran have demonstrated capabilities for internet isolation, maintaining domestic services while cutting off international access during crises.
- Challenges in Replicating China’s Model: Despite aspirations, countries struggle to replicate China’s success due to market size and resource constraints, limiting their ability to foster a competitive domestic internet ecosystem.
- Potential for an Alternative Internet Bloc: There’s speculation about countries forming an allied block with shared networks, reminiscent of economic collaborations during the Cold War, though China’s participation remains uncertain.
