Issue Splinternets: the internet fragmenting into regional digital islands

Summary

Among its longer-term uncertainties, the report suggests the internet could break apart into so-called splinternets. In that case, regional policies could isolate digital interactions and data access from one another, creating digital islands. The report links this to the risk that such policy fragmentation could entrench the dominance of technology giants, concentrating risk and further sidelining smaller innovators. In its short-term outlook for big technology firms, it likewise expects rising protectionism and fractured technology ecosystems to limit interoperability, hinder innovation and widen the global digital divide. The discussion draws on a 2022 European Parliament analysis of internet fragmentation.