The internet was once envisioned as a borderless, open, and unified network connecting people, information, and innovation across the globe. However, in recent years, that vision has been increasingly threatened by what experts call “internet fragmentation”. William J Drake, one of the leading experts on the subject, joins us to discuss, among other things: how and why internet fragmentation came to the fore on the international agenda; how he would define ‘internet fragmentation’; whether there are any circumstances in which internet fragmentation can be a good thing; and why Caribbean countries and other developing regions should be concerned about internet fragmentation.

 

This episode is also available on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music.

According to the Internet Society, “The Internet is a vital resource that allows us to connect, communicate, collaborate, and create with anyone, anywhere.” However, there has been growing evidence of internet fragmentation, that is, the gradual breaking apart of the global internet into separate, incompatible, or restricted networks, thus creating isolated online spaces where different rules and standards apply, which in turn hinders the seamless flow of data to anyone, anywhere.

The fragmentation of the internet has significant implications for economies, societies, and governance worldwide, but it is a topic that has not been broached on the Podcast before. Notwithstanding, we in the Caribbean region are affected by it and cannot afford to be bystanders in these global discussions.

 

Introducing our guest

William J Drake

William J. Drake, PhD, is Director of International Studies at Columbia Institute for Tele-Information, Columbia Business School, in New York City. In addition, he teaches adjunct at Columbia Business School and at the Center for Executive Education in Technology Policy, Carnegie Mellon University; and is an International Fellow in the Media Change & Innovation Division of the Department of Communication and Media Research at the University of Zurich, where he also served as a Lecturer from 2010 – 2020. Other previous work experience has included: Senior Associate at the Centre for International Governance at the Graduate Institute for International and Development Studies; President of Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility; Senior Associate and Director of the Project on the Information Revolution and World Politics at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace; founding Associate Director of the Communication, Culture and Technology Program, Georgetown University; Assistant Professor of Communication at the University of California, San Diego; and adjunct professor at the School of Advanced International Studies and the Georgetown School of Business.

William’s activities in the academic and practitioner environments have included: advisor to the World Economic Forum’s System Initiative on Shaping the Future of Digital Economy and Society; core faculty member of the European and South schools on Internet governance; Affiliated Researcher at the Institute for Tele-Information, Columbia University; co-editor of the MIT Press book series, The Information Revolution and Global Politics; three terms as Chair of the NonCommercial Users Constituency, seven terms on the Board of Directors of the European At Large Organization, two terms on the Nominating Committee, and two terms on the Council of the Generic Names Supporting Organization, all in the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN); member of the Multistakeholder Advisory Group of the UN’s Internet Governance Forum; expert advisor to the high-level Panel on Global Internet Cooperation and Governance Mechanisms; member of the UN’s Working Group on Internet Governance; member of the inaugural Coordination Committee of the NETmundial Initiative; member of the Coordination Committee of the 1Net initiative; member of the Group of High-Level Advisors of UN Global Alliance for ICT and Development; and Vice Chair and founding Steering Committee member of the Global Internet Governance Academic Network.

 

Insight into our conversation

Whether we realise it or not, the global internet stands at a crossroads. The current geopolitical climate, the wealth and power the internet has generated, the rebalancing of the playing field, especially regarding access to information, and our global dependence on it, all make it ripe for control by various factions.

Having said this, there has been evidence of internet fragmentation for decades. Although the subject has been discussed in various global forums, it appears it is not yet seen as critical in order for a clear policy or decisive action to be established.  

However, one of the myriad challenges with internet fragmentation, which we discuss with William, is finding the balance between allowing the natural and continued evolution of the internet—which has fostered innovation and capabilities that we currently enjoy—and when intervention is necessary. Unfortunately, there is no consensus on this matter, as well as the definition or characteristics of internet fragmentation that should elicit a response.

Below are questions that guided our conversation with William.

  1. When and why did the fragmentation of the internet come to the fore on the international agenda?
  2. How would you define ‘internet fragmentation’ and what are some characteristics or examples of this phenomenon?
  3. Are there scenarios where internet fragmentation can be a good thing?
  4. Does the widespread adoption of Generative AI models, which rely on vast, often proprietary, datasets, represent a new layer of commercial fragmentation by concentrating control over the creation and consumption of digital content?
  5. Why should Caribbean countries or other developing regions be concerned about internet fragmentation?
  6. Is there anything Caribbean countries or other developing regions can do in that regard?

 

We would love to hear your thoughts!

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Also, if you or a member of your network is interested in joining us for an episode, do get in touch.

Let’s make it happen!

 

Select links

Below are links to some of the organisations and resources that were mentioned during the episode, or might otherwise be useful:

 

 

Images credit:  W J Drake; rawpixel.com (Freepik);  Isabela bela (Pixabay);   rawpixel.com Freepik;  Freepik

Music credit: The Last Word (Oui Ma Chérie), by Andy Narrell

Podcast editing support: Mayra Bonilla Lopez