Debate over Splinternet ver. 2

Abstract

 Today, Internet users appreciate the services on the Internet as seamless, open, integrated, and interconnected. However, particularly with the onset of events such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the economic security issues between the US and China, there are growing concerns about the fragmentation of the Internet, known as the Splinternet. Given that the Internet is guaranteed by interoperability and interconnection provided by civilian-standardizing bodies such as the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) and the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), no measures were pre-arranged to prevent or inhibit state intervention. This paper provides an overview of the tendencies of various players underlying the emergence of the Splinternet, the structure and evolution of the Internet, and the changes in standardizing bodies. Further, reflecting on the nature required of the Internet as a communication infrastructure, the current state of the Internet, and international trends in Splinternet regulation, this paper will examine perspectives to be held in future discussions.