Critical internet resources

International consensus emerges on submarine cable governance

The International Submarine Cable Resilience Summit concluded in Porto with a strong call for proactive action to protect the infrastructure that underpins global digital connectivity. Hosted by Portugal’s regulator Anacom and co-chaired by Professor Sandra Maximiano and Nigerian Minister of Communications Bosun Tijani, the summit brought together more than 350 participants from over 70 countries, spanning governments, industry, and international organisations, including the ITU and the International Cable Protection Committee.

ITU Deputy Secretary-General Thomas Lamanauskas framed the summit as a milestone in a broader global effort, noting that ITU members have designated this period as a ‘year of resilience,’ with submarine cables at its core. He described the Porto meeting as the culmination of two years of work following the first summit in Abuja, marking a shift from reacting to cable failures toward systematically strengthening resilience before disruptions occur.

Concrete progress was reported through three working groups that have been active since the Abuja summit, focusing on repair procedures and permitting, risk mitigation, and connectivity for underserved regions.

Undersea cables

John Wrottesley of the ICPC credited the close involvement of governments alongside technical experts for producing recommendations that are both realistic and implementable, saying this collaboration injected new momentum into the process.

A central theme of the closing session was the recognition that resilience starts long before cables are damaged. Lamanauskas stressed that adequate protection depends on planning, routing, monitoring, and marine awareness, rather than relying solely on faster repairs after incidents.

Wrottesley reinforced this point from an industry perspective, arguing that well-designed cables and streamlined administrative processes are just as critical as ships and technology when outages occur.

The speakers also highlighted the importance of continuous coordination between governments and operators, including round-the-clock communication frameworks to enable rapid response. Investment was another key issue, with participants stressing that resilience requires sustained funding not only for new systems, but also for existing cables, repair ships, and coverage gaps that still leave some regions highly exposed.

The session culminated in the formal endorsement of the Porto Declaration on Submarine Cable Resilience by the International Advisory Body. Minister Tijani described the declaration as a forward-looking response to the disruptions experienced in 2024, reflecting the reality that connectivity has become foundational to economic and social life. He acknowledged the contributions of working group leaders from countries and organisations, including the United Kingdom, China, the World Bank, the Caribbean Telecommunications Union, North American Submarine Cable, and South Africa.

The declaration emphasises inclusion, capacity development, and long-term cooperation, particularly for small island states, least developed countries, and landlocked nations.

As the summit closed, Wrottesley underlined that the real test lies in implementation, with working groups set to continue their work through mid-2026. The Porto Declaration was adopted by acclamation, signalling broad agreement that protecting submarine cables requires sustained collaboration to keep global connectivity open, reliable, and resilient.

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Experts call for better protection of submarine internet cables

A high-level panel at the International Submarine Cable Resilience Summit 2026 in Porto focused on a growing paradox in global connectivity. While submarine cable damage incidents have remained relatively stable for over a decade, the time needed to repair them has increased sharply.

Moderated by Nadia Krivetz, member of the International Advisory Body for Submarine Cable Resilience, the discussion brought together government officials and industry experts who warned that longer repair times are creating new vulnerabilities for the global internet, even as undersea cable networks continue to expand rapidly.

Andy Palmer-Felgate of the International Cable Protection Committee highlighted that more than 80% of cable damage is caused by fishing and anchoring, mostly on continental shelves where maritime activity is densest. She noted that a small number of high-risk ‘problem cables’ consume around half of the world’s annual repair capacity, suggesting that targeted prevention in specific locations could significantly reduce global disruption.

Palmer-Felgate also pointed to a shift in fault patterns away from Europe and the Atlantic toward Asia, exposing weaknesses in a repair model that depends on shared, slow-to-move vessels.

New monitoring technologies were presented as part of the solution, though not without limitations. Sigurd Zhang described how distributed acoustic sensing can detect vessel activity in real time, even when ships switch off tracking systems, citing cases in which fishing fleets were invisible to conventional monitoring systems.

International Submarine Cable Resilience Summit 2026

Eduardo Mateo added that newer optical monitoring tools can identify long-term stress and seabed instability affecting cables. Still, both speakers stressed that the cost, data complexity, and reliability requirements remain major barriers, especially for shorter cable systems.

Beyond monitoring, the panel explored improvements in cable design and installation, including stronger armouring, deeper burial, and more resilient network topologies. Mateo cautioned that technology alone cannot eliminate risk, as submarine cables must coexist with other seabed users.

Zhang noted that fully integrated ‘smart cables’ combining telecoms and scientific monitoring may still be a decade away, given the strict reliability standards operators demand.

Government coordination emerged as a decisive factor in reducing damage and speeding up repairs. South Africa’s Nonkqubela Thathakahle Jordan-Dyani described how fragmented regulations across African countries slow emergency responses and raise costs.

Speakers pointed to examples of more effective governance, including Australia’s notification-based repair system and successful legal cases described by Peter Jamieson, which have increased accountability among vessel operators and begun changing behaviour at sea.

Industry practices and skills were also under scrutiny. Jamieson argued that careful route planning and proper burial can prevent most cable faults. Still, Simon Hibbert warned that these standards depend on experienced workers whose skills are hard to replace. With an ageing maritime workforce and fewer recruits entering sea-based professions, the panel cautioned that declining expertise could undermine future cable resilience if training and knowledge transfer are not prioritised.

The discussion concluded by situating cable protection within broader economic and geopolitical pressures. Mateo pointed to supply chain risks for key materials driven by AI-related demand, while Jamieson cited regions like the Red Sea, where geopolitical instability forces cables into crowded corridors.

Despite these challenges, speakers agreed that prevention, cooperation, and shared responsibility offer a realistic path forward, stressing that submarine cable resilience can only be strengthened through sustained collaboration between governments, industry, and international organisations.

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Porto summit highlights growing risks to undersea internet cables

The Second International Submarine Cable Resilience Summit opened this week in Porto, Portugal, bringing together senior officials from governments, international organisations, and industry to address the growing risks facing the underwater cables that carry most of the world’s internet traffic. The event highlighted how submarine cables have become critical infrastructure for the global digital economy, especially as societies grow more dependent on cloud services, AI, and cross-border data flows.

Opening the summit, Ambassador João Mira Gomes, Permanent Representative of Portugal to the United Nations Office at Geneva, explained that Portugal’s infrastructure minister was absent due to ongoing storm recovery efforts, underlining the real-world pressures facing critical infrastructure today. He recalled Portugal’s long history in global connectivity, noting that one of the earliest submarine cables linking Portugal and the United Kingdom was built to support the port wine trade, a reminder that communication networks and economic exchange have long evolved together.

Professor Sandra Maximiano, co-chair of the International Advisory Body for Submarine Cable Resilience, placed the discussions in a broader historical context. She pointed to the creation of the International Telecommunication Union in 1865 as the first global organisation dedicated to managing international communications, stressing that cooperation on submarine cables has always been a ‘positive-sum game’ in which all countries benefit from shared rules and coordination.

Maximiano also highlighted Portugal’s strategic role as a cable hub, citing its extensive coastline, large exclusive economic zone, and favourable landing conditions connecting Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Asia. She outlined key projects such as the Atlantic CAM system linking mainland Portugal with Madeira and the Azores using a resilient ring design and smart cable technology that combines telecommunications with seismic and oceanographic monitoring. Existing and planned systems, she said, are not just data pipelines but foundations for innovation, scientific cooperation, and strategic autonomy.

A major outcome of the summit was the adoption of the Porto Declaration on Submarine Cable Resilience, developed with input from more than 150 experts worldwide. The declaration sets out practical guidance to improve permitting and repair processes, strengthen legal frameworks, promote route diversity and risk mitigation, and enhance capacity-building, with special attention to the needs of small island states and developing countries.

ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin framed these efforts within a rapidly changing digital landscape, announcing that 2026 will be designated the ‘year of resilience.’ She warned that the scale of global digital dependence has transformed the impact of cable disruptions, as even minor outages can ripple across AI systems, cloud platforms, and autonomous services. Resilience, she argued, now depends as much on international coordination and preparedness as on cable design itself.

From the European Union perspective, European Commission Vice-President Henna Virkkunen outlined upcoming EU measures, including a submarine cable security toolbox and targeted funding through the Connecting Europe Facility. She stressed the importance of regional coordination and praised Portugal’s active role in aligning EU initiatives with global efforts led by the ITU.

Closing the opening session, Ambassador Gomes linked cable resilience to broader goals of development and peace, warning that digital divides fuel inequality and instability, and reaffirming Portugal’s commitment to international cooperation and capacity-building as the summit moves the global conversation from policy to action.

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ChatGPT restored after global outage disrupts users worldwide

OpenAI faced a wave of global complaints after many users struggled to access ChatGPT.

Reports began circulating in the US during the afternoon, with outage cases climbing to more than 12.000 in less than half an hour. Social media quickly filled with questions from people trying to determine whether the disruption was widespread or a local glitch.

Also, users in the UK reported complete failure to generate responses, yet access returned when they switched to a US-based VPN.

Other regions saw mixed results, as VPNs in Ireland, Canada, India and Poland allowed ChatGPT to function, although replies were noticeably slower instead of consistent.

OpenAI later confirmed that several services were experiencing elevated errors. Engineers identified the source of the disruption, introduced mitigations and continued monitoring the recovery.

The company stressed that users in many regions might still experience intermittent problems while the system stabilises rather than operating at full capacity.

In the following update, OpenAI announced that its systems were fully operational again.

The status page indicated that the affected services had recovered, and engineers were no longer aware of active issues. The company added that the underlying fault was addressed, with further safeguards being developed to prevent similar incidents.

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EU plans a secure military data space by 2030

Institutions in the EU have begun designing a new framework to help European armies share defence information securely, rather than relying on US technology.

A plan centred on creating a military-grade data platform, the European Defence Artificial Intelligence Data Space, is intended to support sensitive exchanges among defence authorities.

Ultimately, the approach aims to replace the current patchwork of foreign infrastructure that many member states rely on to store and transfer national security data.

The European Defence Agency is leading the effort and expects the platform to be fully operational by 2030. The concept includes two complementary elements: a sovereign military cloud for data storage and a federated system that allows countries to exchange information on a trusted basis.

Officials argue that this will improve interoperability, speed up joint decision-making, and enhance operational readiness across the bloc.

A project that aligns with broader concerns about strategic autonomy, as EU leaders increasingly question long-standing dependencies on American providers.

Several European companies have been contracted to develop the early technical foundations. The next step is persuading governments to coordinate future purchases so their systems remain compatible with the emerging framework.

Planning documents suggest that by 2029, member states should begin integrating the data space into routine military operations, including training missions and coordinated exercises. EU authorities maintain that stronger control of defence data will be essential as military AI expands across European forces.

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Submarine cables keep the global internet running

The smooth functioning of the global internet depends on a largely unseen but critical system, the undersea fibre-optic cables that carry nearly all international data traffic. These cables, laid across the ocean floor, support everything from everyday online communication to global financial transactions.

Ahead of the Second International Submarine Cable Resilience Summit in Porto, Portugal, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has drawn attention to the growing importance of protecting this infrastructure.

Tomas Lamanauskas, Deputy Secretary-General of ITU, has stressed that submarine cables are the backbone of global connectivity and that their resilience must be strengthened as societies become ever more dependent on digital networks. From their origins as 19th-century telegraph lines, undersea cables have evolved into high-capacity systems capable of transmitting hundreds of terabits of data per second, forming a dense web that connects continents, economies, and communities.

Today, more than 500 commercial submarine cables stretch for roughly 1.7 million kilometres beneath the seas. Although these cables are relatively thin, their installation is complex, requiring detailed seabed surveys, environmental assessments, and specialised cable-laying vessels to ensure safe deployment and protection.

Despite their robust design, undersea cables remain vulnerable. Natural hazards such as earthquakes and underwater landslides pose risks, but around 80% of cable faults are caused by human activities, including ship anchors and fishing trawlers.

When cables are damaged, the effects can be immediate, disrupting internet access, emergency communications, financial services, and digital healthcare and education, particularly in remote or island regions.

Repairing or replacing damaged cables is often slow and costly. While faults can usually be located quickly, repairs may be delayed by complex permitting procedures and coordination across multiple jurisdictions.

With some cables installed during the dot-com boom now approaching the end of their lifespan, ITU is increasingly focused on fostering international cooperation, setting standards, and promoting best practices to ensure that these hidden networks can continue to support global connectivity in the years ahead.

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Eutelsat blocked from selling infrastructure as France tightens control

France has blocked the planned divestment of Eutelsat’s ground-station infrastructure, arguing that control over satellite facilities remains essential for national sovereignty.

The aborted sale to EQT Infrastructure VI had been announced as a significant transaction, yet the company revealed that the required conditions had not been met.

Officials in France say that the infrastructure forms part of a strategic system used for both civilian and military purposes.

The finance minister described Eutelsat as Europe’s only genuine competitor to Starlink, further strengthening the view that France must retain authority over ground-station operations rather than allow external ownership.

Eutelsat stressed that the proposed transfer concerned only passive facilities such as buildings and site management rather than active control systems. Even so, French authorities believe that end-to-end stewardship of satellite ground networks is essential to safeguard operational independence.

The company says the failed sale will not hinder its capital plans, including the deployment of hundreds of replacement satellites for the OneWeb constellation.

Investors had not commented by publication time, yet the decision highlights France’s growing assertiveness in satellite governance and broader European debates on technological autonomy.

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Mining margins collapse amid falling Bitcoin prices

CryptoQuant data shows Bitcoin mining profitability has fallen to its weakest level in 14 months, as declining prices and rising operational pressure weigh on the sector. The miner profit and loss sustainability index dropped to 21, its lowest reading since November 2024.

Lower Bitcoin prices and elevated mining difficulty have left operators ‘extremely underpaid’, according to the report. Network hash rate has also declined across five consecutive epochs, reaching its lowest level since September 2025 and signalling reduced computing power securing the network.

Severe winter weather across parts of the eastern United States added further strain, disrupting mining activity and pushing daily revenues down to around $28 million, a yearly low. Weaker risk appetite across equities and digital assets has compounded the impact.

Shares in listed miners such as MARA Holdings, CleanSpark, and Riot Holdings have fallen by double-digit percentages over the past week. Data from the Cambridge Bitcoin Electricity Consumption Index shows mining BTC now costs more than buying it on the open market, increasing pressure on weaker operators.

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Anthropic challenges Pentagon over military AI use

Pentagon officials are at odds with AI developer Anthropic over restrictions designed to prevent autonomous weapons targeting and domestic surveillance. The disagreement has stalled discussions under a $200 million contract.

Anthropic has expressed concern about its tools being used in ways that could harm civilians or breach privacy. The company emphasises that human oversight is essential for national security applications.

The dispute reflects broader tensions between Silicon Valley firms and government use of AI. Pentagon officials argue that commercial AI can be deployed as long as it follows US law, regardless of corporate guidelines.

Anthropic’s stance may affect its Pentagon contracts as the firm prepares for a public offering. The company continues to engage with officials while advocating for ethical AI deployment in defence operations.

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GDPR violation reports surge across Europe in 2025, study finds

European data protection authorities recorded a sharp rise in GDPR violation reports in 2025, according to a new study by law firm DLA Piper, signalling growing regulatory pressure across the European Union.

Average daily reports surpassed 400 for the first time since the regulation entered force in 2018, reaching 443 incidents per day, a 22% increase compared with the previous year. The firm noted that expanding digital systems, new breach reporting laws, and geopolitical cyber risks may be driving the surge.

Despite the higher number of cases in the EU, total fines remained broadly stable at around €1.2 billion for the year, pushing cumulative GDPR penalties since 2018 to €7.1 billion, underlining regulators’ continued willingness to impose major sanctions.

Ireland once again led enforcement figures, with fines imposed by its Data Protection Commission totaling €4.04 billion, reflecting the presence of major technology firms headquartered there, including Meta, Google, and Apple.

Recent headline penalties included a €1.2 billion fine against Meta and a €530 million sanction against TikTok over data transfers to China, while courts across Europe increasingly consider compensation claims linked to GDPR violations.

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