Is 99% of the internet at risk? US tightens control over undersea cables
In response to growing threats from China and other foreign countries, the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has approved new rules aimed at speeding up the deployment and improving the security of undersea internet cables. These cables carry about 99 per cent of the world's internet traffic and support $10 trillion worth of financial transactions every day.
According to FCC chief Brendan Carr, the new measures not only ease the licensing process, but also impose stringent security requirements and restrictions on foreign companies that are recognised as a potential threat to national security.
"We not only want to unleash the deployment of new undersea cables — we want to make sure those cables are secure".
What will change under the new rules:
- Simplification of submarine cable licensing
- Tougher cyber and physical security requirements
- A ban on participation by companies controlled by "hostile states"
- Applications from such companies will now be rejected by default unless it can be shown that there is no threat to U.S. security
Why it matters
FCC Commissioner Olivia Trusty emphasised that undersea cables are particularly vulnerable to espionage, sabotage and covert surveillance, and China and Russia are actively developing technologies that can monitor and even influence such communications. "Our global adversaries realise this, and we cannot ignore this reality," Trusty added.
Context
The decision is part of a broader US strategy to limit China's influence in critical technologies including artificial intelligence, 5G/6G and international data infrastructure. The US wants to maintain leadership in digital security and protect economic and defence interests.
