Recent events have multiplied concerns about potential fragmentation of the internet into a multitude of non-interoperable and disconnected 'splinternets'. Composed of thousands of compatible autonomous systems, the internet is by definition technically divided. Yet, the internet was also designed to be an open and global technical infrastructure. The unity and openness of the internet appear to be under great pressure from political, commercial and technological developments. This report explores the implications of the EU's recent policies in this field as well as the opportunities and challenges for EU Member States and institutions in addressing internet fragmentation. It underlines how recent EU legislative proposals – on the digital services act, digital markets act, artificial intelligence act, and NIS 2 Directive – could help to address patterns of fragmentation, but also have limitations and potentially unintended consequences.

EPRS Science and Technology Podcast - 'Splinternets': Addressing the renewed debate on internet fragmentation

&lt;p>The internet is a critical technology infrastructure for almost two thirds of the global population. We use the internet for personal, civic, commercial and professional activities. Failure of the internet would majorly impact how our societies, lives and work is organised. While a total global collapse of the internet is unlikely, major disruptions may arise. Three aspects are key in understanding of how this could materialise: the underlying technological infrastructures, which are evolving with time; the fact that tech companies are increasingly shaping the Internet architecture to seek new commercial strategies; and the increasing control of the digital sphere for political reasons.&lt;/p>

EPRS policy podcast - Future shocks 2023: Collapse of the Internet

Since its early development in the 1960s, Internet infrastructure has become almost as important as electricity and transport infrastructures in contemporary societies. More and more key services such as banking, food retail, and health care, rely on Internet connections. Despite its original resilient decentralised design, the increasing importance of a few central players and centralising developments have made the Internet more vulnerable to failure. What repercussions would that entail? Listen to our podcast to know more!

EPRS STOA podcast - What if the Internet failed?

Internet on mullistanut tapamme varata lomamatkoja. Siksi EU on päivittänyt sääntöjä, jotka suojelevat valmismatkan ostajia. Uudet matkapakettisäännöt hyödyttävät matkailijoita monin tavoin.

Näin EU toimii valmismatkan ostajien hyväksi

Oletko väsynyt sensaatiohakuiseen ja huonoon uutisointiin? Et ole ainoa. EU haluaa kannustaa sinuakin tiedostavaan internetin käyttöön.

Näin EU toimii tiedostavien internetin käyttäjien hyväksi.

Tiesitkö, että nettiä käyttää päivittäin 360 miljoonaa eurooppalaista? Puhelin ja internet ovat olennainen osa jokapäiväistä elämäämme. Näin EU parantaa palveluja

Näin EU toimii puhelimen ja internetin käyttäjien hyväksi

EU:ssa noin 70 prosenttia ihmisistä käyttää internetiä päivittäin. Kuulutko sinäkin tähän joukkoon? EU suojaa monin tavoin sinua ja verkossa kerättyjä henkilötietojasi

Näin EU toimii niiden internetin käyttäjien hyväksi, joiden henkilötietoja kerätään verkossa

Internet tarjoaa lapsille verrattoman oppimis- ja pelaamisympäristön. Verkossa lapsia voidaan kuitenkin myös kiusata tai käyttää seksuaalisesti hyväksi tai he voivat altistua haitalliselle sisällölle.

Näin EU toimii internetiä käyttävien lasten vanhempien hyväksi

Monet lapset viihtyvät netissä. Siellä on monenlaista ajanvietettä ja oppimismahdollisuuksia mutta myös uhkia. EU pyrkii tekemään netistä turvallisemman lapsille.

Näin EU toimii internetiä käyttävien lasten hyväksi

Speech by Roberta METSOLA, EP President at EPP Hearing on Internet Safety for Children

EP Plenary session - Oral question - The new European strategy for a better internet for kids (BIK+)

Press seminar for web journalists

Video Hearing with the Senate of the Italian Republic - Statement by David SASSOLI, EP President on Internet as a human right

' Ideas for a new world '  Internet access: a new human right - Debate with EC President and former EC President- Introduction by David SASSOLI, EP President

Plenary session - Implementation and functioning of the .eu top level domain name

JURI committee meeting. Exchange of views with Romanian Presidency. Presentation of study on Essential Patents and Internet of Things, commissioned by the European Parliament's Policy Department for Citizens' Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the request of JURI committee

Press conference on the launch of the new website ' What Europe does for for me '

Press conference on the launch of the new website ' WHAT EUROPE DOES FOR ME '

Facebook & Other Social Dangers - The political, social and financial impactof the big internet monopolies

Data Protection Policy on Internet - General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

Internet privacy settings on a computer

The new EP Multimedia Center. Display of MMC platform on desktop screen.

The Internet of the Human Body: Towards a habeas data?

Plenary session week 37 2017 in Strasbourg - Promotion of internet connectivity in local communities

Lessons learned for Security and Liability in the Internet of Things

New economy - Uber transportation service company

Istunnon avaaminen

Rahoituspalveluja koskevat etäsopimukset (keskustelu)

Yhdyskuntajätevesien käsittely (keskustelu)

Puutumatuse äravõtmise taotlus

Koskemattomuutta koskevan parlamentin päätöksen johdosta toteutetut toimet

Uusi eurooppalainen Parempi internet lapsille -strategia (BIK+) (keskustelu)

Istunnon jatkaminen

Äänestykset

Edellisen istunnon pöytäkirjan hyväksyminen

Huono hygienia, turvattomuus ja pysäköintipaikkojen puute kuorma-autonkuljettajien levähdysalueilla (keskustelu)

Äänestysselitykset

Tämän istunnon pöytäkirjan hyväksyminen ja hyväksyttyjen tekstien edelleen välittäminen

Seuraavien istuntojen aikataulu

Istunnon päättäminen

Istuntokauden keskeyttäminen

Plenary session

Internet access: a new human right

Paikallisyhteisöjen internetyhteyksien parantaminen (keskustelu)

Promotion of internet connectivity in local communities (debate)

Internetyhteydet kasvun, kilpailukyvyn ja yhteenkuuluvuuden lisäämiseksi: eurooppalainen gigabittiyhteiskunta ja 5G - Euroopan teollisuuden digitalisointi (keskustelu)

Internet connectivity for growth, competitiveness and cohesion: European gigabit society and 5G - Digitising European industry (debate)

IANAn toimintojen ohjauksen äskettäinen siirto maailmanlaajuiselle internet-yhteisölle lokakuussa 2016 ja tuleva Meksikossa (6.-8. joulukuuta 2016) järjestettävä internetin hallintofoorumi (keskustelu)

Recent transition of the IANA stewardship to the global internet community in October 2016 and the upcoming Internet Governance Forum in Mexico (6-8 December 2016) (debate)

EYE 2016 – EYEtv Debates « The internet of inequality: next generation digital revolution » and « Dark shadows around the corner: climate change and future food »

UNKN

Internetissä tapahtuvan lasten seksuaalisen hyväksikäytön torjunta (keskustelu)

Fight against child sexual abuse on the Internet (debate)

Internetin hallintofoorumin toimeksiannon uusiminen (keskustelu)

Renewal of the mandate of the Internet Governance Forum (debate)

Yhdysvaltojen suorittama EU:n kansalaisten internetvalvonta (NSA:n PRISM-ohjelma) (keskustelu)

US Internet surveillance of EU citizens (NSA PRISM programme) (debate)

Kortti-, verkko- ja mobiilimaksut (lyhyt esittely)

Card, Internet and mobile payments (short presentation)

Syrjivät verkkosivustot ja hallitusten reaktiot (keskustelu)

Discriminatory Internet sites and government reactions (debate)

Avoin internet ja verkon neutraalisuus Euroopassa (keskustelu)

The open Internet and net neutrality in Europe (debate)

Internetin hallinto tästä eteenpäin (lyhyt esittely)

Internet governance: the next steps (short presentation)

Esineiden internet (lyhyt esittely)

Internet of Things (short presentation)

Turvallisuuden ja perusvapauksien vahvistaminen internetissä (keskustelu)

Strengthening security and fundamental freedoms on the Internet (debate)

Internetiä ja muita viestintäteknologioita käyttävien lasten suojelu (keskustelu)

Protecting children using the Internet and other communication technologies (debate)

MEPs vote on several texts: opening of negotiations on the Union Code on the rules governing the movement of persons across borders - Guillaume, Human rights situation in Afghanistan, in particular the persecution of former government officials - Motion for resolution, the case of Zarema Musaeva in Chechnya - Motion for resolution, Egypt, in particular the sentencing of Hisham Kassem - Motion for resolution, European green bonds - Tang, Scheme of generalised tariff preferences - Hautala, Financial services contracts concluded at a distance - Kokalari, Urban wastewater treatment. Recast - Torvalds, Situation in Nagorno-Karabakh after Azerbaijan’s attack - Motion for resolution, Taking stock of Moldova’s path to the EU - Motion for resolution, The new European strategy for a better internet for kids (BIK+) - Motion for resolution.

Voting session: Union Code on the rules governing the movement of persons across borders, the new European strategy for a better internet for kids (BIK+), taking stock of Moldova’s path to the EU

The infoclips illustrates the devices which fall under the requirements of the Cyber Resilience Act, like smart vacuum cleaners, smart washing machine, smart watches, security cameras, etc. The latest proposal in the EU Cyber Resilience Act Introduces mandatory cybersecurity requirements for products with digital elements and it covers a broad range of devices - it would include all products that are connected either directly or indirectly to another device or network, including hardware, software and ancillary services and would impose obligations on manufacturers, importers, and distributors of these products to provide duty of care across their whole life cycle. The proposal aims to ensure better protection for consumers through increasing the responsibility of manufacturers by obliging them to provide security support and software updates to address identified vulnerabilities, and providing them with information about cybersecurity of products they buy and use.

Infoclip: EU Cyber Resilience Act, better protection for smart devices

The internet provides many opportunities for kids to learn and explore, to be creative or to interact with their friends and family, but it also entails many risks such as cyberbullying, age-inappropriate content, disinformation and sexual abuse. In May 2022, the European Commission published a new European strategy for a better internet for kids (BIK+). The new strategy contributes to the vision for the EU's digital transformation by 2030 and reflects the principle, 'Children and young people should be protected and empowered online'. Restrictions: ©The material may not be edited and must be shown entirely.

EPRS - Creating a better internet for kids

Precise figures about the numbers of illegal firearms in the European Union (EU) are lacking, but several indicators point to their widespread availability and accessibility. According to the Small Arms Survey, over half of the estimated total number of firearms held by civilians in the EU in 2017 were unlicensed. While most of these citizens had no criminal intentions, their illicit firearms could be used for self-harm or domestic violence, or end up in the hands of criminals or terrorists. Most criminals and terrorists have more sophisticated ways to get hold of illicit firearms. They can be trafficked from source countries, diverted from legal supply chains, illegally manufactured or assembled in the EU, converted from legally available weapons, or sourced on the internet... ©The material may not be edited and must be shown entirely.

EPRS - 5 facts about firearms trafficking

In the weeks preceding the war, Russia attacked Ukrainian websites in the context of its hybrid war on the country. In the past, cyber-attacks have cut off electricity networks in Kyiv. While Russia deploys cyber warfare and disinformation strategies in its war on #Ukraine, social platforms, and telecommunication, media and internet operators are playing an important role in relaying information on the war and shaping public opinion. The EU has taken a number of immediate, practical, measures to support Ukraine, and is contemplating further action to build the resilience of its communications infrastructures, strengthen cybersecurity and counter disinformation.... ©The material may not be edited and must be shown entirely.

EPRS - The digital dimension of Russia's war on Ukraine

„Distanční vyučování bych si zopakovat nechtěla,“ říká Sandra, učitelka na základní škole ve Švédsku. Učit šest týdnů přes internet pro ni bylo velmi náročné. Pracovala nepřetržitě, aby si se svými žáky udržela pouto. Jaké to pro ni bylo, když se zase všichni sešli ve třídě? Celý Sandřin příběh si můžete poslechnout v rozhovoru, který v květnu 2021 poskytla ve videu z cyklu „Spojeni v odloučení“.

Spojeni v odloučení | Sandřin příběh: „Kdy se vrátíme do školy?“

„Nie chciałabym znów nauczać na odległość”, mówi Sandra, nauczycielka ze szkoły podstawowej w Szwecji. Sześć tygodni nauczania przez internet było nie lada wyzwaniem. Pracowała na okrągło, aby utrzymać kontakt z uczniami. Jak się czuła w tym wielkim dniu, kiedy wszyscy znowu spotkali się w klasie? Poznaj jej historię, którą opowiedziała w wywiadzie z serii „Połączeni rozłąką” w maju 2021 roku.

Połączeni rozłąką | Historia Sandry: „Kiedy w końcu wrócimy do szkoły?”

Prázdninové plány zmařené přísnými lockdownovými pravidly, nedostatek kontaktu s jinými lidmi a dva teenageři doma – rodina Diaconescu si prožila své. Co je během pandemie drželo nad vodou? Celý příběh rodiny Diaconescu si můžete poslechnout v rozhovoru, který v červenci 2021 poskytli ve videu z cyklu „Spojeni v odloučení“.

Spojeni v odloučení | Příběh rodiny Diaconescu: „Naše děti se s kamarády mohly spojit jen přes internet“

Die Urlaubspläne zunichtegemacht, die sozialen Beziehungen auf Eis gelegt und zwei Teenager zuhause – die Coronapandemie und die damit verbundene Ausgangssperre stellte Familie Diaconescu auf eine harte Probe. Wie haben sie diese Herausforderung gemeistert? Familie Diaconescu erzählt ihre Geschichte in dem Video-Interview an, das sie im Juli 2021 für „Gemeinsam getrennt“ gab.

Gemeinsam getrennt | Familie Diaconescus Geschichte: „Unsere Kinder konnten nur übers Internet mit ihren Freunden in Verbindung bleiben“

Vuoden 2021 viimeisessä täysistunnossa parlamentti myöntää tämänvuotisen mielipiteenvapauden Saharov-palkinnon Aleksei Navalnyille. Europarlamentaarikot keskustelevat suurten verkkoalustojen entistä tiukemmasta sääntelystä ja äänestävät vuoden 2022 tekemisestä Euroopan nuorisovuodeksi. Tämä kaikki ja lisää on tulossa Strasbourgista.

Tulossa seuraavaksi Strasbourgista: Saharov-palkinto, internetjätit ja nuoriso

As of May 2018, with the entry into application of the General Data Protection Regulation, there is one set of data protection rules for all companies operating in the EU, wherever they are based. This Infoclip illustrates people consulting websites on computer and smartphones, GDPR compliances on various websites, internet connections, rooters and servers.

Infoclip: General Data Protection Regulation two years after its application

During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels (8-11 February 2021), MEPs debate Democratic Scrutiny of Social Media and the Protection of Fundamental Rights with the European Council and the European Commission. Extracts from the debate. Statements of Ana Paula ZACARIAS, Portuguese Secretary of State for European Affairs, Vĕra JOUROVÁ, Vice-President of the EC in charge of Values and Transparency, and MEPs : Marina KALJURAND, Alexandra GEESE, Dragoș TUDORACHE, Geert BOURGEOIS, Paulo RANGEL.

Democratic Scrutiny of Social Media and the Protection of Fundamental Rights: extracts from the debate

During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels (08-11 February 2021), MEPs debate the Democratic Scrutiny of Social Media and the Protection of Fundamental Rights. Opening statements by Ana Paula ZACARIAS, Portuguese Secretary of State for European Affairs and by Vĕra JOUROVÁ, Vice-President of the European Commission.

Democratic Scrutiny of Social Media and the Protection of Fundamental Rights: Opening statements by Ana Paula ZACARIAS, Portuguese Secretary of State for European Affairs and by Vĕra JOUROVÁ, Vice-President of the European Commission

David SASSOLI, EP President, gives a statement on "Internet as a human right" during a Video Hearing with the Senate of the Italian Republic (Extraordinry Committee for the protection and the promotion of Human Rights). Recorded statement. This transcription speech is the result of an automatic process. Check against delivery.

Statement by David SASSOLI, EP President on "Internet as a human right" during a video Hearing of the Senate of the Italian Republic (recorded)

It is increasingly recognised that the internet, in spite of all its benefits to society, can also be correlated with significant harms to individuals and society. Some of these harms have been studied extensively, particularly harms to privacy, harms associated with security and cybercrime, and harms resulting from digital divides. This video presents less studied but equally important harms: harms associated with internet use that concern the health, well-being a functioning of individuals, and the impact on social structures and institutions. It also lists some concrete policy options to be considered by the EU Institutions and Member States, to mitigate negative effects of the internet for European citizens. Restrictions: ©The material may not be edited and must be shown entirely.

EPRS - Potentially negative effects of internet use

This infoclip illustrates examples of the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in everyday life: home assistants, connected home, e-commerce, social networks, predictive search on internet, navigation app., city bike rentals, video filters, image recognition system, augmented reality... (shootings took place in Strasbourg region - France, October 2020)

Infoclip: Artificial Intelligence in everyday life

David SASSOLI, EP President, invites Ursula von der LEYEN, President of the European Commission and Romano PRODI, former Commission President with interventions from Sir Tim BERNERS-LEE, computer scientist and Simona LEVI, founder of Xnet, in a debate entitled "Internet access, a new human right" in the framework of the new series of dialogues called "Ideas for a new world", in the European Parliament in Brussels

Video debate with David SASSOLI, EP President: "Internet access: a new human right"

Internet on muuttanut käänteentekevällä tavalla elokuvien, videoiden ja televisio-ohjelmien kulutusta. Euroopan parlamentti tutkii tässä muuttuvassa ympäristössä sääntöjen päivittämisen tapoja, joilla voidaan paremmin suojella lapsia sopimattomalta aineistolta ja tukea eurooppalaisia tuotantoja.

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Speech by Roberta METSOLA, EP President at EPP Hearing on Internet Safety for Children

EP Plenary session - Oral question - The new European strategy for a better internet for kids (BIK+)

Press seminar for web journalists

Press seminar for web journalists

Video Hearing with the Senate of the Italian Republic - Statement by David SASSOLI, EP President on Internet as a human right

' Ideas for a new world ' Internet access: a new human right - Debate with EC President and former EC President- Introduction by David SASSOLI, EP President

Plenary session - Implementation and functioning of the .eu top level domain name

JURI committee meeting. Exchange of views with Romanian Presidency. Presentation of study on Essential Patents and Internet of Things, commissioned by the European Parliament's Policy Department for Citizens' Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the request of JURI committee

Press conference on the launch of the new website ' What Europe does for for me '

Press conference on the launch of the new website ' WHAT EUROPE DOES FOR ME '

Facebook & Other Social Dangers - The political, social and financial impactof the big internet monopolies

Data Protection Policy on Internet - General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

Internet privacy settings on a computer

The new EP Multimedia Center. Display of MMC platform on desktop screen.

The Internet of the Human Body: Towards a habeas data?

Plenary session week 37 2017 in Strasbourg - Promotion of internet connectivity in local communities

Lessons learned for Security and Liability in the Internet of Things

New economy - Uber transportation service company