The internet is a medium influenced by political and power dynamics in which geopolitical actors determine its functioning, organisation, and control over internet users. The fall of the fiber optic control, power and paranoia is a map that shows all the documented cuts made in the Internet’s undersea cables.     

Exhibitions:

2025.– “PANIC: Complex. Absurd. Ominous”. Curated by Manuela Naveau, Ars Electronica Theme Exhibition, Linz (Austria).

References:

– Calderwood, Wu, Yeung, Khu. (2025). ABC.net, “As China targets Taiwan’s undersea cables, some locals fear ‘grey zone’ warfare” URL: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-17/is-china-cutting-taiwan-internet-cables-as-psychological-warfare/105281582

– Bennett, A. (2019). Submarine cables and infrastructure vulnerabilities: Threats from private and state actors.

– Chun, W. H. K. (2011). Programmed visions: Software and memory. MIT Press. (p. 83).

– Gambrell, J. (2024). Apnews.com. 3 Red Sea data cables cut as Houthis launch more attacks in the vital waterway URL: https://apnews.com/article/red-sea-undersea-cables-yemen-houthi-rebels-attacks-b53051f61a41bd6b357860bbf0b0860a

– Ketter, K. (2008) Undersea Cables Cut; 14 Countries Lose Web — Updated. The Wire, URL: https://www.wired.com/2008/12/mediterranean-c/   

– Lii, W. The Diplomant. (2023). After Chinese Vessels Cut Matsu Internet Cables, Taiwan Seeks to Improve Its Communications Resilience, URL: https://thediplomat.com/2023/04/after-chinese-vessels-cut-matsu-internet-cables-taiwan-shows-its-communications-resilience/

– Pillai Rajagopalan, R. (2024). The Diplomat. “Undersea Cables are Increasingly Critical and Vulnerable” URL: https://thediplomat.com/2024/03/undersea-cables-are-increasingly-critical-and-vulnerable/

– Porter, J. (2024). The Verge. “SpaceX inks first Space Force deal for government-focused Starshield satellite network”. https://www.theverge.com/2023/9/28/23894239/spacex-starshield-satellite-network-space-force-pentagon-deal

– Qiu, W. (2006). Submarinenetworks. Submarine Cables Cut after Taiwan Earthquake in Dec 2006. https://www.submarinenetworks.com/en/nv/news/cables-cut-after-taiwan-earthquake-2006

– Reuters. (2023). CNBC. Divers Caught Trying to Cut Egypt’s Undersea Internet Cable.  https://www.cnbc.com/2013/03/28/divers-caught-trying-to-cut-egypts-undesea-internet-cable.html

– Singel, R. (2007). Wired.com, Vietnamese Fishermen Harvest Internet Cables, URL: https://www.wired.com/2007/06/vietnamese-fish/

– Starosielski, N. (2015). The undersea network. Duke University Press.

– Starosielski, N., & Walker, J. (2016). Sustainable media. New York: Routledge.

– Submarine Cable Networks, URL: https://www.submarinenetworks.com/en/systems/eurasia-terrestrial/silk-route-transit

– Submarine Cable Map, URL: https://www.submarinecablemap.com/

– Webster, E. (2025, February 21). Sweden investigates suspected sabotage of undersea telecoms cable. BBC. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy5nydr9rqvo