Is the Internet Starting to Fracture?

Since its inception, the Internet has thrived as a platform that facilitates open data flows across national boundaries. Commerce and communications grew due to the ability of people in diverse locations to connect and communicate. In recent years, though, a number of challenges have arisen that run the risk of turning the Internet into a “balkanized” platform. This includes protectionist sentiments, interoperability challenges, and cybersecurity threats. The result has been a crisis of confidence in the Internet as a whole. Countries that once enjoyed open cross-border data flows are now skeptical about online information exchange. To avoid surveillance, some nations are now storing data within their own borders to protect their confidential information. How have these developments affected trade and commerce across different nations?  

On September 25, Governance Studies at Brookings hosted an event on the challenges facing cross-border data flows in the digital economy. A panel of experts discussed the possible ramifications on communication, trade, and commerce of a fractioned Internet.