The internet, once a global unifier, is fragmenting along national lines. This shift is driven by governments’ desire for control and the public’s demand for online safety. China has led the way with its Great Firewall, while Russia and Iran have followed suit, creating their own national internets. Western countries are not immune, with the European Union enforcing data localisation laws and the UK considering similar measures.
Tech giants like Facebook and Google, once advocates for a borderless internet, are increasingly tolerating this fragmentation. They are adapting their platforms to local laws, even if it means creating country-specific versions. This trend is also reflected in the rise of regional internet companies, such as Africa’s Jumia and Southeast Asia’s Grab and Gojek.
The public’s demand for internet safety is another significant driver of this fragmentation. People are increasingly concerned about misinformation, privacy breaches, and cybercrime. In response, countries are setting up their own rules and regulations, further fragmenting the internet.
While this fragmentation might seem negative, it can also be seen as a form of internet localisation, making the internet more applicable and safer for individual regions. Yet, it’s a delicate balance to strike, as too much fragmentation could limit the internet’s global potential.
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