Search Your Queries Related To Trilegal

Understanding the Splinternet and addressing the business concerns it poses

28 Jun 2022

Power conventional energy thumb image
By Jishnu Sanyal (Counsel) and Akanksha Bisen (Senior Manager)
This article was first published in SCCOnline

One of the rights guaranteed under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 19481 is the right to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers. However, the rise of nationalism and protectionism globally is leading to the internet splintering into smaller parts, each of which is governed differently and therefore referred to as the splinternet. Instead of a single global internet, this would lead to multiple national or regional networks that do not speak to each other or possibly even are unable to due to incompatible technologies. Concerns around the splinternet include fragmented online marketplace (making it harder for companies to reach their target audiences) and the evolution of different business and compliance standards around data management, protection, and transactions. This presents new risks and compliance challenges for companies operating in multiple countries.

A good starting point for addressing potential risks and compliance concerns is understanding the evolution of internet regulation

The free flow of data defined the early internet. However, eventually, jurisdictions started blocking certain sites, apps, and products due to their nature of work, content hosting, or simply because they originated from a hostile nation. Businesses no longer have unfettered access to the information, and Governments are increasingly restricting online content and apps. Most recently, we have seen Russia and various western nations block each other’s content from being made available within their national boundaries2. The calls for Russian domains to be revoked altogether, which would have effectively taken Russia off the internet, were also made to ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers), albeit unsuccessfully3.

However, there has also generally been a rise in internet regulation globally across jurisdictions, especially concerning cross-border digital transactions, which has led to measures such as data localisation mandates. Consequently, Governments are effectively restoring the role of national borders in the digital economy.

Download PDF to read more

Trending News

Disclaimer

Under the rules of the Bar Council of India, Trilegal is prohibited from soliciting work or advertising in any form or manner. By accessing this website, www.trilegal.com, you acknowledge that:

  • You are seeking information about Trilegal of your own accord and there has been no form of solicitation, advertisement or inducement by Trilegal or its members.
  • This website should not be construed as providing legal advice for any purpose.
  • All information, content, and materials available on this website are for general informational purposes only.
  • Any information obtained or material downloaded from this website is completely at the user’s volition, and any transmission, receipt or use of this website is not intended to, and will not, create any lawyer-client relationship.
  • Information on this website may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information. Trilegal is not liable for the consequences of any action taken by any person based on any material or information available on this website, or for any inaccuracy in or exclusion of any information or interpretation thereof.
  • Readers of this website or recipients of content or information available on this website should not act based on any or all such content or information, and should always seek advice of competent legal counsel licensed to practice in the appropriate jurisdiction.
  • Third party links contained on this website re-directing users to such third-party websites should neither be construed as legal reference / legal advice, nor considered as referrals to, endorsements of, or affiliations with, any such third party website operators.
  • The communication platform provided on this website should not be used for exchange of any confidential, business or politically sensitive information.
  • The contents of this website are the intellectual property of Trilegal.

We prioritize your privacy. Before proceeding, we encourage you to read our privacy policy, which outlines the below, and terms of use to understand how we handle your data:

  • The types of information we collect and why we collect them.
  • How we use your information to provide a personalized experience.
  • The measures we take to ensure the security of your data.
  • Your rights and choices in managing your personal information.
  • How we may share information with trusted partners for specific purpose.

For more information, please read our terms of use and our privacy policy.

Up arrow