How Do Undersea Cables Become Tools of American Espionage
According to webangah News agency, the modern world increasingly relies on digital communications, supported by an invisible but vital infrastructure that powers the global internet—submarine fiber-optic cables. These cables enable lightning-fast data transfers and financial transactions.
The dominance of submarine cables in the digital economy
These underwater fiber-optic networks carry over 95% of international data traffic and facilitate daily financial transactions worth an estimated $10 trillion. despite being the backbone of the global digital economy, they remain largely unprotected and overlooked.
Measuring less than 2 inches in diameter, these cables span over 1.2 million kilometers across ocean floors.Composed of thin optical fibers wrapped in layers of copper, plastic, and steel, they withstand immense water pressure while transmitting data at speeds reaching several terabits per second—making them ideal for cloud services, live streaming, and high-frequency trading.
Contrary to popular belief, satellites handle only a fraction of international data transfers due to submarine cables’ superior efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Specialized ships deploy these cables along carefully mapped routes to avoid seismic zones and strong currents.
Submarine cables as espionage tools
Human activities like fishing trawlers account for 70% of cable damage—far exceeding natural disasters or marine life interference. Their technical importance is matched by geopolitical significance: Australia has established marine protected zones around cable routes while U.S.military operations depend on them for inter-base communications.
The vulnerability was demonstrated when five U.S.-owned Atlantic cables were mysteriously severed in 1959—Washington accused Soviet ships of sabotage. Recent revelations by whistleblower Edward Snowden exposed U.S. surveillance programs tapping undersea cable traffic, prompting nations like Brazil to build option routes bypassing American territory.
Suspicious damage incidents occurred in 2023-2024 across Baltic sea and Red Sea cables amid rising concerns about deliberate attacks during geopolitical tensions. Tech giants Google (Alphabet) and Meta now invest in proprietary networks like Dunant transatlantic cable (250 Tbps capacity), signaling a silent arms race among tech powers for secure infrastructure control.
