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The author, as the international policy director at Stanford University’s Cyber Policy Center and special adviser to Margrethe Vestager, provides insight on preventing the fragmentation of the internet.
Addressing concerns about the fragmentation of the internet requires acknowledging the reality that the once promising vision of a truly international web is now fracturing. Censorship, attacks on digital infrastructure, and geopolitical competition in online governance models all contribute to the erosion of this ideal. Holding on to this dream is not only unrealistic but also detrimental to progress.
The concept of an open internet initially captivated the public imagination, offering a decentralized infrastructure that would foster connection, access to information, and freedom of expression, all while challenging the power of governments, corporations, and media conglomerates. Democratic governments worldwide embraced the principle of an open internet, as evidenced by the recent Declaration for the Future of the Internet released by the White House in 2022. This declaration garnered support from over 60 governments committed to an internet that is open, free, global, interoperable, reliable, and secure.
However, even with such well-intentioned statements, fractures continue to emerge due to diverse national regulations, dominant corporate entities like Meta and Google, and blatant censorship. Authoritarian countries such as Iran, Russia, and China exert control over the internet by blocking websites, monitoring information flow, and implementing sophisticated surveillance systems. Yet, the disruption of the open internet is not limited to these countries alone.
India has gained recognition as a global leader in internet shutdowns for five consecutive years. Furthermore, Tunisia, once a digitally liberal state in the Arab world, passed a comprehensive cybercrime law last year, enabling state-led restrictions on website access.
In democratic states, governments increasingly regulate corporate and individual online behavior. Concerns surrounding espionage and manipulation have led several US states and universities to ban the use of TikTok on official devices. The European Union has adopted stringent data protection rules and net neutrality regulations. The absence of cohesive international regulations exacerbates the patchwork of rules that shape online experiences, leading to ad hoc interventions driven by national security, domestic economic policies, or the safeguarding of civil liberties.
Advocacy for an open internet without corresponding policies impedes progress and inhibits governance efforts by democratic states. Before championing internet freedom globally, democratic governments must ensure that their own regulations are well-founded, appropriate in scope, and transparent about measures that limit openness.
An international commitment to protecting universal human rights in the digital realm is crucial. Governments that regulate based on the rule of law differ fundamentally from state agencies that employ rules and technologies for repressive purposes. This distinction must be clarified.
Furthermore, democratic governments must establish global ground rules through agreements that include commitments to not block internet access and to invest in public digital infrastructure, thereby reducing dependence on powerful private companies. These agreements should be enforceable through sanctions for violators.
Lastly, safeguarding the physical infrastructure of the internet, particularly undersea cables, is essential. Undersea cables serve as the foundation of the internet stack, and any successful attack on them could have disastrous consequences. Approximately a quarter of the world’s population relies on vulnerable internet connections. Democratic states should establish a clear framework for governing undersea cables and implement robust defenses to protect them.
Current geopolitical dynamics have steered us away from the vision of an open, global internet. Instead of clinging to nostalgia or accepting this new reality, democratic countries should articulate their vision for a safer and better alternative while taking steps to bridge the ideological divides hindering its realization.
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