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Could Russia turn off the whole internet?
Nov 27, 2024
A Chinese cargo ship linked to undersea cable disruptions raises alarms of potential sabotage in the Baltic Sea. Historical contexts reveal that undersea cables have been vulnerable since World War I, underscoring their importance in today’s internet infrastructure. As internet traffic surges with cloud services and AI, the risk of targeted attacks is heightened. Geopolitical maneuvers by Russia and China could threaten global connectivity, posing critical questions about international justice effectiveness in face of cyber threats.
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Quick takeaways
- The vulnerability of undersea internet cables to sabotage is increasingly concerning, as shown by recent incidents involving the Yi Peng 3 cargo ship.
- Historical tactics of disrupting communication infrastructure underscore the strategic significance of undersea cables in modern geopolitical conflicts.
Deep dives
Sabotage of Undersea Cables
Recent incidents have highlighted the vulnerability of undersea internet cables to sabotage, as seen in the case of the Yipeng-3, a cargo ship that passed over critical submarine cables and caused significant disruptions to internet services in Northern Europe. The ship was scrutinized after two cables snapped just as it traversed the areas above them, raising suspicions of possible sabotage. Authorities noted the ship's unusual slow speed prior to the cable breaks and the subsequent increase in speed, suggesting potential interference. These events led to investigations by multiple countries, focusing on the intersection of national security and internet infrastructure protection.
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