The US will now fast-track some undersea internet cables, but block others

The US is changing how it approves undersea internet cables, making it easier for some to get built quickly. But it will also make it harder for cables with equipment from certain foreign companies to operate in US waters.

Undersea cables carry almost all global internet traffic. For decades, the US has reviewed every new cable connection individually, a slow process that often involved multiple government agencies. This new approach aims to speed up approvals for trusted cables while creating new hurdles for those deemed a national security risk. It means the US is actively shaping the physical infrastructure of the global internet, not just regulating its use.