Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: The Internet once held out the promise of a global unfettered medium of communication through which citizens worldwide could share and access freely, forming the basis for a nascent (virtual) public sphere. Today, that promise is truly more distant than ever. States and non-states actors are increasingly engaged in geopolitical contests over information on the Internet that in turn is limiting access to information, freedom of speech, and privacy online. The aim of this paper is to begin to map to map the geopolitics of Internet control. Drawing from geopolitical theories of international relations, we develop an analytical framework to apply to the material properties of Internet spaces to understand how major connecting nodes -- like routers, Internet exchange points, and autonomous systems -- and new forms of strategic doctrine - such as the use of computer network attacks and psychological operations -- are combing as part of Internet militarization processes. We conclude by assessing the prospects and possible components of Internet arms control as a way to protect the Internet as a forum for global civic communications.