BRICS de-Americanizing the Internet

This chapter argues that, while the Internet continues to be dominated by the West, in particular the United States, in terms of its infrastructure, economics and governance, this domination is increasingly being challenged by the Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) countries, notably China, Russia and India. The BRICS nations in recent years have strengthened their digital infrastructure for the Internet, a key element contributing to the global digital supremacy of the US, the originator of the Internet. The Alibaba group owns multiple online market places including Taobao, a consumer-to-consumer platform with more than 600 million active monthly users, many outside China in Southeast Asia, Turkey, Europe and India. Governance and regulation of cyberspace remain a crucial component of contemporary international relations and a hotly contested terrain, especially since new issues about cyber security and digital property rights have gained salience in a networked, globalized and mobile electronic marketplace.