A research team has created an “atlas of internet surveillance” by mapping the ownership of network infrastructures in democratic and authoritarian states. The study reveals that in authoritarian states, more influential internet service providers are state-owned, while in democracies, they are mainly privatized. Authoritarian countries with foreign internet service providers usually have providers from other authoritarian states, showing a pattern of technological cooperation. The study also highlights the importance of transit networks in controlling data traffic, with authoritarian states routing a higher proportion of data through state-owned networks. The team notes that internet surveillance in authoritarian states may be more widespread than indicated, as states can also pressure private internet service providers.
https://techxplore.com/news/2024-03-atlas-internet-surveillance-ownership-network.html