While most of the world is stuck in the coronavirus pandemic, China thinks it’s the right time to rethink the Internet with a new protocol. The world’s most populous country is working with local telco operators and Huawei to introduce what they call “New IP” with the idea to replace the dominant Transmission Control Protocol (TCP).
What makes New IP better, its proponents argue, is that its address system allows devices within the same network to communicate privately, without having to send their information over the network. This, in theory, offers a more efficient addressing process and better network management.
In its presentations, Huawei has characterized the new protocol as vital to powering “holo-sense teleportation” and self-driving cars. The representative added that the technology was “open to scientists and engineers worldwide.”
The problem, however, is that it also gives authorities more control to spy on people within the network, even leaving the possibility of integrating a “shutdown command.” Said command could, also in theory, allow someone to cut off sending information to or from a defined IP address(es) — effectively silencing a group of people with a few taps on the keyboard. Think: protests in China.
Furthermore, New IP may also require authentication and validation of the person who joins the network. If implemented, such capability could effectively make anonymous surfing impossible, with authorities possibly asking for an ID or some other form of identification before accessing the Internet. In China specifically, this would allow the government to pinpoint to an individual behind every message.
That’s a scary thought and knowing what — on the other side of the world — the NSA has been doing, we gotta ask where is this world heading? Yes, today we can use VPNs but at some point in the future, that may not be enough to keep us protected — or at least hidden — on the Internet.
According to reports, New IP is set to begin testing in 2021. In the meantime, make sure your computer is ready for this digital dark age by equipping it with a VPN software. You know where to find that, right? 😉