Splinternet, internet fragmentation or “balkanization of the internet” are different ways to describe just one phenomenon that consists in creating various internets. In these cases the Internet is controlled by the State which can decide to partially or totally block access to the Internet to its citizens.
This control can be exercised by States by blocking certain websites, redirecting URLs or even by implementing policies of self-censorship. Nowadays we have three main fragmentations. The Chinese “Great Firewall”, the Iranian “NIN” and the Russian one.
Splinternet is a great opportunity for authoritarian countries to avoid foreign intrusions and to control its citizens but, on the other hand, it is considered a threat by democratic ones. Is splinternet already a solid reality? How can it affect our future?