Contributor: It's no metaphor — undersea cables hold together our precarious modern life

Los Angeles Times - Mar 28th, 2025

The story highlights the vulnerability of the global internet infrastructure, which largely relies on undersea cables that carry over 95% of intercontinental data, including vital financial transactions. These cables, susceptible to damage from natural disasters, human activity, and deliberate sabotage, represent a critical weakness in global connectivity. Recent incidents, such as alleged sabotage by state actors and political tensions, point to an emerging 'Coldwater War' where the potential for targeted attacks on these cables could disrupt the world's social, economic, and political systems.

In a world increasingly dependent on digital communications, the story underscores the fragile nature of these connections and the ease with which they could be compromised. As major technology companies invest in these cables to secure their data networks, the lack of robust protection and international oversight raises concerns about future security. The narrative warns of potential catastrophic consequences if coordinated attacks were to occur, urging a reevaluation of the security and resilience of this critical infrastructure in preventing a possible underwater crisis akin to a new form of digital colonization.

Sabotage Global Connectivity Internet Infrastructure Undersea Cables Security Vulnerabilities Colum Mc Cann Leon Thevenin Coldwater War Digital Colonization

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

7.2

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article provides a compelling and informative exploration of the critical role undersea cables play in global communications and the vulnerabilities they face. It effectively raises awareness of the strategic importance of these cables and the potential risks associated with their damage or sabotage. The narrative is engaging and accessible, making complex topics relatable to a general audience.

While the article excels in accuracy and public interest, it could benefit from greater transparency and source attribution to enhance its credibility. Including more balanced perspectives and expert insights would provide a more comprehensive view of the issues. Overall, the article successfully highlights an important yet often overlooked aspect of digital infrastructure, prompting readers to consider the implications of undersea cable vulnerabilities in today's interconnected world.

Accuracy

The story presents several well-supported factual claims about undersea cables and their critical role in global communications. It accurately states that over 95% of the world's intercontinental information travels through underwater cables, a fact supported by industry reports. The vulnerability of these cables to damage from natural events and human activities, such as fishing trawlers and sabotage, is also correctly depicted. The mention of financial transactions worth $10 trillion daily being carried by these cables aligns with known data about their economic importance.

However, the story could benefit from more specific sourcing or references to back up certain claims, such as the exact incidents of sabotage or geopolitical tensions mentioned. The narrative about potential coordinated attacks, while plausible, leans into speculative territory without direct evidence. Overall, the article maintains a high level of factual accuracy but would benefit from more explicit source references for some of its claims.

Balance

The article primarily focuses on the vulnerabilities and strategic importance of undersea cables, highlighting potential threats and geopolitical tensions. While it provides a comprehensive view of the risks, it could be more balanced by including perspectives on the measures being taken to protect these cables or innovations in technology that enhance their security.

The narrative leans towards a somewhat alarmist tone, emphasizing the potential for catastrophic disruptions. Including viewpoints from experts or organizations working on cable security could provide a more rounded perspective. The story effectively raises awareness of the issues but could strive for greater balance by discussing both risks and solutions.

Clarity

The article is generally clear and well-structured, with a logical flow that guides the reader through the complexities of undersea cable networks and their vulnerabilities. The language is accessible, and the narrative effectively conveys the significance of the topic.

However, certain sections could benefit from additional explanation or simplification, particularly for readers unfamiliar with technical terms or the geopolitical context. Despite these minor areas for improvement, the article is largely successful in presenting a complex topic in an understandable manner.

Source quality

The article does not explicitly cite specific sources or experts, which slightly undermines its credibility. While the facts presented are generally accurate and align with industry knowledge, the lack of direct attribution to authoritative sources or studies could be improved.

Including quotes from industry experts, government officials, or academic studies would enhance the article's reliability and authority. The narrative relies heavily on the author's research and perspective, which, while insightful, would benefit from corroboration by external sources to strengthen its credibility.

Transparency

The article lacks transparency in terms of sourcing and methodology. The author shares personal insights and research findings but does not detail how this information was gathered or verified. This lack of transparency may leave readers questioning the basis for certain claims.

Providing more context about the author's research process or referencing specific studies and reports would enhance transparency. Additionally, disclosing any potential conflicts of interest or biases would further clarify the article's foundation and improve reader trust.