Internet Fragmentation & Digital Control

The provided text explores the complex interplay between digital sovereignty and internet fragmentation, highlighting how nations' efforts to control their digital domains are leading to a splintering of the global internet. It defines digital sovereignty as a state's authority over its digital sphere, driven by political, economic, and national security concerns, and details how this pursuit contributes to internet fragmentation, which is the division of the internet into isolated networks. The text presents contrasting models of digital sovereignty from the European Union, China, Russia, and the United States, illustrating their diverse approaches and the consequences for users, businesses, and the internet's core technical infrastructure. Ultimately, it examines the ongoing battle over internet governance between multistakeholder and multilateral models and offers strategic recommendations for navigating this increasingly fragmented digital landscape.