Right now, beneath
four kilometres of ocean,
Feb 25, 2026
A thread thinner than your finger is carrying this sentence to you.
A thread thinner than your finger is carrying this sentence to you.
A thread thinner than your finger is carrying this sentence to you.
And three governments know it.
And three governments know it.
And three governments know it.
One of them owns part of it.
One of them owns part of it.
One of them owns part of it.
None of them told you.
None of them told you.
None of them told you.
You Think of the Internet as wireless.
You Think of the Internet as wireless.
You Think of the Internet as wireless.
Wi-Fi. 5G. Satellites. Signals moving invisibly through air.
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That's the last metre.
That's the last metre.
That's the last metre.
The other 20,000 kilometres —
The other 20,000 kilometres —
The other 20,000 kilometres —
The part that crosses the Atlantic,
The part that crosses the Atlantic,
The part that crosses the Atlantic,
Descends into the Pacific,
Descends into the Pacific,
Descends into the Pacific,
Runs along the floor of the Indian Ocean — that travels through glass.
Runs along the floor of the Indian Ocean — that travels through glass.
Runs along the floor of the Indian Ocean — that travels through glass.
Through cables the width of a garden hose,
Through cables the width of a garden hose,
Through cables the width of a garden hose,
Lying in the dark, in the cold,
Lying in the dark, in the cold,
Lying in the dark, in the cold,
Under the weight of the entire sea.
Under the weight of the entire sea.
Under the weight of the entire sea.
Are around 400.
Are around 400.
Are around 400.
Together, they carry 99% of all international internet traffic.
Together, they carry 99% of all international internet traffic.
Together, they carry 99% of all international internet traffic.
Every Email.
Every Email.
Every Email.
Every Bank transfer.
Every Bank transfer.
Every Bank transfer.
Every Video call.
Every Video call.
Every Video call.
Every Financial trade.
Every Financial trade.
Every Financial trade.
Every classified government communication.
Every classified government communication.
Every classified government communication.
Every word of this.
Every word of this.
Every word of this.
All of it, threading through glass at the bottom of the ocean.
All of it, threading through glass at the bottom of the ocean.
All of it, threading through glass at the bottom of the ocean.
| And almost nobody —
| And almost nobody —
| And almost nobody —
| Not the people sending the emails, not the companies running on them,
| Not the people sending the emails, not the companies running on them,
| Not the people sending the emails, not the companies running on them,
| Not the governments whose economies depend entirely on them —
| Not the governments whose economies depend entirely on them —
| Not the governments whose economies depend entirely on them —
| Can tell you exactly where they are, who owns them,
| Can tell you exactly where they are, who owns them,
| Can tell you exactly where they are, who owns them,
| Or what is being done to them in the dark.
| Or what is being done to them in the dark.
| Or what is being done to them in the dark.
What They Actually Are
What They Actually Are
What They Actually Are
Strip one open and you'd find this:
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A bundle of optical fibers at the core. Each fiber thinner than a human hair.
A bundle of optical fibers at the core. Each fiber thinner than a human hair.
A bundle of optical fibers at the core. Each fiber thinner than a human hair.
Each one carrying data as pulses of light —
Each one carrying data as pulses of light —
Each one carrying data as pulses of light —
Moving at roughly 200,000 kilometres per second through the glass.
Moving at roughly 200,000 kilometres per second through the glass.
Moving at roughly 200,000 kilometres per second through the glass.
Wrapped in layers. Steel wire for strength.
Wrapped in layers. Steel wire for strength.
Wrapped in layers. Steel wire for strength.
Copper for power —
Copper for power —
Copper for power —
The cable needs electricity to run repeaters every hundred kilometres or so,
The cable needs electricity to run repeaters every hundred kilometres or so,
The cable needs electricity to run repeaters every hundred kilometres or so,
Amplifying the signal before it fades.
Amplifying the signal before it fades.
Amplifying the signal before it fades.
Polyethylene on the outside.
Polyethylene on the outside.
Polyethylene on the outside.
The whole thing about the diameter of a large wrist.
The whole thing about the diameter of a large wrist.
The whole thing about the diameter of a large wrist.
The first transatlantic telegraph cable was laid in 1858.
The first transatlantic telegraph cable was laid in 1858.
The first transatlantic telegraph cable was laid in 1858.
It took weeks to send a single message.
It took weeks to send a single message.
It took weeks to send a single message.
Queen Victoria sent a congratulatory note to President Buchanan.
Queen Victoria sent a congratulatory note to President Buchanan.
Queen Victoria sent a congratulatory note to President Buchanan.
It took 17 hours to transmit 98 words.
It took 17 hours to transmit 98 words.
It took 17 hours to transmit 98 words.
Same ocean floor.
Same ocean floor.
Same ocean floor.
Same principle.
Same principle.
Same principle.
The technology has just become so fast it crossed…
The technology has just become so fast it crossed…
The technology has just become so fast it crossed…
The threshold from communication into something closer to thought.
The threshold from communication into something closer to thought.
The threshold from communication into something closer to thought.
The infrastructure of the world hasn't changed since the Victorian era.
The infrastructure of the world hasn't changed since the Victorian era.
The infrastructure of the world hasn't changed since the Victorian era.
We just replaced copper with glass and light with money.
We just replaced copper with glass and light with money.
We just replaced copper with glass and light with money.
Who actually owns them
Who actually owns them
Who actually owns them
For most of the internet's history, undersea cables were owned by telecoms consortiums —
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AT&T, BT, a coalition of carriers splitting the cost and the bandwidth.
AT&T, BT, a coalition of carriers splitting the cost and the bandwidth.
AT&T, BT, a coalition of carriers splitting the cost and the bandwidth.
That changed quietly.
That changed quietly.
That changed quietly.
Around 2010.
Around 2010.
Around 2010.
Then faster.
Then faster.
Then faster.
Then dramatically.
Then dramatically.
Then dramatically.
Google, Meta, Amazon, and Microsoft now own or…
Google, Meta, Amazon, and Microsoft now own or…
Google, Meta, Amazon, and Microsoft now own or…
Co-own the majority of new undersea cable capacity being laid.
Co-own the majority of new undersea cable capacity being laid.
Co-own the majority of new undersea cable capacity being laid.
Not rent it.
Not rent it.
Not rent it.
Own it.
Own it.
Own it.
The physical infrastructure of the global internet is being privatised —
The physical infrastructure of the global internet is being privatised —
The physical infrastructure of the global internet is being privatised —
By the same companies that run the applications sitting on top of it.
By the same companies that run the applications sitting on top of it.
By the same companies that run the applications sitting on top of it.
Google alone has invested in over 20 cables. Some they built entirely.
Google alone has invested in over 20 cables. Some they built entirely.
Google alone has invested in over 20 cables. Some they built entirely.
Some they share.
Some they share.
Some they share.
One — called Curie — runs 10,500 kilometres from Los Angeles to Chile and belongs entirely to them.
One — called Curie — runs 10,500 kilometres from Los Angeles to Chile and belongs entirely to them.
One — called Curie — runs 10,500 kilometres from Los Angeles to Chile and belongs entirely to them.
Why does this matter?
Why does this matter?
Why does this matter?
| What they say
| What they say
| What they say
"We need the capacity. Building our own cables is cheaper than leasing bandwidth.
"We need the capacity. Building our own cables is cheaper than leasing bandwidth.
"We need the capacity. Building our own cables is cheaper than leasing bandwidth.
This is infrastructure investment, nothing more."
This is infrastructure investment, nothing more."
This is infrastructure investment, nothing more."
| What it actually means
| What it actually means
| What it actually means
The companies that own the cables decide which traffic moves fastest,
The companies that own the cables decide which traffic moves fastest,
The companies that own the cables decide which traffic moves fastest,
Which routes are prioritised, and who gets the bandwidth when demand exceeds capacity.
Which routes are prioritised, and who gets the bandwidth when demand exceeds capacity.
Which routes are prioritised, and who gets the bandwidth when demand exceeds capacity.
Owning the pipe is owning the power.
Owning the pipe is owning the power.
Owning the pipe is owning the power.
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When a Tech Giant owns the cable
When a Tech Giant owns the cable
When a Tech Giant owns the cable
It can — legally, technically, quietly — give its own traffic a speed advantage.
A Google search travelling on a Google cable moves differently…
A Google search travelling on a Google cable moves differently…
A Google search travelling on a Google cable moves differently…
Than a competitor's service on the same infrastructure.
Than a competitor's service on the same infrastructure.
Than a competitor's service on the same infrastructure.
| Nobody announces this. Nobody regulates it cleanly.
| Nobody announces this. Nobody regulates it cleanly.
| Nobody announces this. Nobody regulates it cleanly.
| It just happens, invisibly, at the speed of light, 4,000 metres below the surface.
| It just happens, invisibly, at the speed of light, 4,000 metres below the surface.
| It just happens, invisibly, at the speed of light, 4,000 metres below the surface.
The tapping — What actually happened
The tapping — What actually happened
The tapping — What actually happened
2013 Edward Snowden.
A single document in a cache of NSA files.
A single document in a cache of NSA files.
A single document in a cache of NSA files.
GCHQ — British intelligence —
GCHQ — British intelligence —
GCHQ — British intelligence —
Had been secretly tapping the undersea cables landing on British shores.
Had been secretly tapping the undersea cables landing on British shores.
Had been secretly tapping the undersea cables landing on British shores.
Programme called Tempora.
Programme called Tempora.
Programme called Tempora.
They had physical access to the cable landing stations,
They had physical access to the cable landing stations,
They had physical access to the cable landing stations,
Installed interception equipment,
Installed interception equipment,
Installed interception equipment,
And were collecting the full contents of internet traffic at the point where the cables came ashore.
And were collecting the full contents of internet traffic at the point where the cables came ashore.
And were collecting the full contents of internet traffic at the point where the cables came ashore.
Not "Metadata."
Not "Metadata."
Not "Metadata."
Not "traffic patterns."
Not "traffic patterns."
Not "traffic patterns."
The actual content.
The actual content.
The actual content.
Emails.
Emails.
Emails.
Messages.
Messages.
Messages.
Financial data.
Financial data.
Financial data.
Medical records.
Medical records.
Medical records.
Everything passing through those cables —
Everything passing through those cables —
Everything passing through those cables —
Copied, stored, and searchable for thirty days.
Copied, stored, and searchable for thirty days.
Copied, stored, and searchable for thirty days.
They were sharing it with the NSA.
They were sharing it with the NSA.
They were sharing it with the NSA.
The scale: at peak,
The scale: at peak,
The scale: at peak,
Tempora was processing 21 petabytes of data per day.
Tempora was processing 21 petabytes of data per day.
Tempora was processing 21 petabytes of data per day.
Roughly the equivalent of 21 million gigabytes.
Roughly the equivalent of 21 million gigabytes.
Roughly the equivalent of 21 million gigabytes.
Every twenty-four hours.
Every twenty-four hours.
Every twenty-four hours.
And GCHQ had quietly recruited staff from the cable companies themselves —
And GCHQ had quietly recruited staff from the cable companies themselves —
And GCHQ had quietly recruited staff from the cable companies themselves —
The people who physically ran the landing stations —
The people who physically ran the landing stations —
The people who physically ran the landing stations —
To make the access possible.
To make the access possible.
To make the access possible.
Ten trillion dollars of financial transactions.
Ten trillion dollars of financial transactions.
Ten trillion dollars of financial transactions.
Every day.
Every day.
Every day.
Through glass threads on the ocean floor.
Through glass threads on the ocean floor.
Through glass threads on the ocean floor.
There is no vault.
There is no vault.
There is no vault.
There is no fortress.
There is no fortress.
There is no fortress.
There is no army guarding it.
There is no army guarding it.
There is no army guarding it.
There is a cable.
There is a cable.
There is a cable.
Lying in the silt.
Lying in the silt.
Lying in the silt.
Occasionally brushed by a trawler net.
Occasionally brushed by a trawler net.
Occasionally brushed by a trawler net.
Occasionally chewed by a shark — this genuinely happens,
Occasionally chewed by a shark — this genuinely happens,
Occasionally chewed by a shark — this genuinely happens,
Which is why cables in certain zones are armoured.
Which is why cables in certain zones are armoured.
Which is why cables in certain zones are armoured.
Occasionally — deliberately — cut.
Occasionally — deliberately — cut.
Occasionally — deliberately — cut.
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The cuts that
The cuts that
The cuts that
weren't accidents
| 2008
| 2008
| 2008
Mediterranean, January.
Mediterranean, January.
Mediterranean, January.
Three cables cut within days of each other.
Three cables cut within days of each other.
Three cables cut within days of each other.
75 million people across Egypt, India, Pakistan, and the Gulf lose internet access.
75 million people across Egypt, India, Pakistan, and the Gulf lose internet access.
75 million people across Egypt, India, Pakistan, and the Gulf lose internet access.
Official cause: ship anchors. Timing: suspicious. The cables were cut in areas where anchoring was prohibited.
Official cause: ship anchors. Timing: suspicious. The cables were cut in areas where anchoring was prohibited.
Official cause: ship anchors. Timing: suspicious. The cables were cut in areas where anchoring was prohibited.
| 2022
| 2022
| 2022
Tonga, January.
Tonga, January.
Tonga, January.
A volcanic eruption severed the single undersea cable connecting the island nation to the outside world.
A volcanic eruption severed the single undersea cable connecting the island nation to the outside world.
A volcanic eruption severed the single undersea cable connecting the island nation to the outside world.
The entire country went dark — no internet, no international calls, no financial transactions — for five weeks.
The entire country went dark — no internet, no international calls, no financial transactions — for five weeks.
The entire country went dark — no internet, no international calls, no financial transactions — for five weeks.
One cable. One cut. An entire nation erased from the internet.
One cable. One cut. An entire nation erased from the internet.
One cable. One cut. An entire nation erased from the internet.
| 2023
| 2023
| 2023
Baltic Sea, October.
Baltic Sea, October.
Baltic Sea, October.
The Balticconnector pipeline and a data cable between Finland and Estonia were severed simultaneously.
The Balticconnector pipeline and a data cable between Finland and Estonia were severed simultaneously.
The Balticconnector pipeline and a data cable between Finland and Estonia were severed simultaneously.
A Chinese vessel, the NewNew Polar Bear, was seen near both sites.
A Chinese vessel, the NewNew Polar Bear, was seen near both sites.
A Chinese vessel, the NewNew Polar Bear, was seen near both sites.
No charges filed. Official position: under investigation. Still under investigation.
No charges filed. Official position: under investigation. Still under investigation.
No charges filed. Official position: under investigation. Still under investigation.
| 2024
| 2024
| 2024
Red Sea, February.
Red Sea, February.
Red Sea, February.
Three major cables — AAE-1, Seacom, EIG — cut within days of each other near Yemen.
Three major cables — AAE-1, Seacom, EIG — cut within days of each other near Yemen.
Three major cables — AAE-1, Seacom, EIG — cut within days of each other near Yemen.
Houthi activity suspected. 25% of traffic between Asia, Europe and Africa rerouted.
Houthi activity suspected. 25% of traffic between Asia, Europe and Africa rerouted.
Houthi activity suspected. 25% of traffic between Asia, Europe and Africa rerouted.
Financial institutions scrambled.
Financial institutions scrambled.
Financial institutions scrambled.
Some rerouting added 40-80ms latency to transactions — enough to affect high-frequency trading. Enough to cost millions.
Some rerouting added 40-80ms latency to transactions — enough to affect high-frequency trading. Enough to cost millions.
Some rerouting added 40-80ms latency to transactions — enough to affect high-frequency trading. Enough to cost millions.
The Weighting
The Weighting
The Weighting
Something darker than tapping
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Tapping is dramatic.
Tapping is dramatic.
Tapping is dramatic.
Cutting is dramatic.
Cutting is dramatic.
Cutting is dramatic.
Both make headlines eventually.
Both make headlines eventually.
Both make headlines eventually.
Weighting is quieter.
Weighting is quieter.
Weighting is quieter.
Weighting is when an entity with control over a cable —
Weighting is when an entity with control over a cable —
Weighting is when an entity with control over a cable —
A government, a carrier, a company —
A government, a carrier, a company —
A government, a carrier, a company —
Routes certain traffic through certain paths.
Routes certain traffic through certain paths.
Routes certain traffic through certain paths.
Not blocked. Not intercepted. Just…
Not blocked. Not intercepted. Just…
Not blocked. Not intercepted. Just…
Directed. Slowed slightly. Prioritised differently.
Directed. Slowed slightly. Prioritised differently.
Directed. Slowed slightly. Prioritised differently.
A financial transaction routed through a jurisdiction with looser regulation.
A financial transaction routed through a jurisdiction with looser regulation.
A financial transaction routed through a jurisdiction with looser regulation.
An encrypted communication routed through a landing station where,
An encrypted communication routed through a landing station where,
An encrypted communication routed through a landing station where,
A government has interception equipment installed.
A government has interception equipment installed.
A government has interception equipment installed.
A competitor's data given the slower path when the cables are congested.
A competitor's data given the slower path when the cables are congested.
A competitor's data given the slower path when the cables are congested.
None of this requires a dramatic act.
None of this requires a dramatic act.
None of this requires a dramatic act.
It doesn't require a spy ship or a tap or a breach.
It doesn't require a spy ship or a tap or a breach.
It doesn't require a spy ship or a tap or a breach.
It requires access to the routing protocols —
It requires access to the routing protocols —
It requires access to the routing protocols —
The invisible rules that decide which way a packet of data travels,
The invisible rules that decide which way a packet of data travels,
The invisible rules that decide which way a packet of data travels,
When it leaves one continent and needs to reach another.
When it leaves one continent and needs to reach another.
When it leaves one continent and needs to reach another.
| What you send
| What you send
| What you send
An email. A payment. A message.
An email. A payment. A message.
An email. A payment. A message.
It leaves your device and enters the cable network.
It leaves your device and enters the cable network.
It leaves your device and enters the cable network.
You assume it takes the fastest route.
You assume it takes the fastest route.
You assume it takes the fastest route.
| What actually happens
| What actually happens
| What actually happens
The route it takes is decided by protocols controlled by,
The route it takes is decided by protocols controlled by,
The route it takes is decided by protocols controlled by,
Companies and governments with their own interests.
Companies and governments with their own interests.
Companies and governments with their own interests.
The fastest path and the path it takes are not always the same thing.
The fastest path and the path it takes are not always the same thing.
The fastest path and the path it takes are not always the same thing.
Takeaway For you..?
Takeaway For you..?
Takeaway For you..?
The internet feels like air.
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That was always the intention —
That was always the intention —
That was always the intention —
To make it feel frictionless, borderless, everywhere at once.
To make it feel frictionless, borderless, everywhere at once.
To make it feel frictionless, borderless, everywhere at once.
The infrastructure was supposed to be invisible.
The infrastructure was supposed to be invisible.
The infrastructure was supposed to be invisible.
It is invisible.
It is invisible.
It is invisible.
That's exactly the problem.
That's exactly the problem.
That's exactly the problem.
Because invisible infrastructure is infrastructure that can be…
Because invisible infrastructure is infrastructure that can be…
Because invisible infrastructure is infrastructure that can be…
Shaped, owned, tapped, cut, and…
Shaped, owned, tapped, cut, and…
Shaped, owned, tapped, cut, and…
Weighted by whoever controls the physical thing —
Weighted by whoever controls the physical thing —
Weighted by whoever controls the physical thing —
Without the people depending on it having any idea it's happening.
Without the people depending on it having any idea it's happening.
Without the people depending on it having any idea it's happening.
The cables will keep carrying the data.
The cables will keep carrying the data.
The cables will keep carrying the data.
The financial system will keep running on them.
The financial system will keep running on them.
The financial system will keep running on them.
The governments will keep routing their communications through them.
The governments will keep routing their communications through them.
The governments will keep routing their communications through them.
The tech giants will keep laying new ones,
The tech giants will keep laying new ones,
The tech giants will keep laying new ones,
Owning more of them, controlling more of the path.
Owning more of them, controlling more of the path.
Owning more of them, controlling more of the path.
And somewhere on the floor of the Pacific,
And somewhere on the floor of the Pacific,
And somewhere on the floor of the Pacific,
Four kilometres down, in water so cold and dark that nothing lives there —
Four kilometres down, in water so cold and dark that nothing lives there —
Four kilometres down, in water so cold and dark that nothing lives there —
A thread of glass the width of your thumb is carrying the economy of the world through the dark.
A thread of glass the width of your thumb is carrying the economy of the world through the dark.
A thread of glass the width of your thumb is carrying the economy of the world through the dark.
Unguarded.
Unguarded.
Unguarded.
Unannounced.
Unannounced.
Unannounced.
And quietly, in ways you'll never be told about, not entirely unobserved.
And quietly, in ways you'll never be told about, not entirely unobserved.
And quietly, in ways you'll never be told about, not entirely unobserved.
The internet isn't in the cloud.
The internet isn't in the cloud.
The internet isn't in the cloud.
It's in the ground.
It's in the ground.
It's in the ground.
At the bottom of the sea.
At the bottom of the sea.
At the bottom of the sea.
And the people who
And the people who
And the people who
put it there
put it there
put it there
are watching what moves through it.
are watching what moves through it.
are watching what moves through it.