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title: 'Centralization Risks'
sidebar_position: 3
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# Centralization Risks

![](img/blocked.png)

## Why Countries Need Their Own Infrastructure

The internet is not just cables; it’s a combination of physical infrastructure (like data centers and servers), software, and services that enable global communication and access to information. When countries don’t have control over their own infrastructure, they become overly dependent on external, centralized providers, which is risky for several reasons:

1. **Vulnerability to Political Decisions**
   - Imagine a situation where a global service like Google decides to block access to certain countries due to political pressure or conflicts. Citizens, businesses, and governments in those regions would be instantly cut off from critical tools, data, and communication platforms.

2. **Disruptions in Emergencies**
   - If a natural disaster, conflict, or cyberattack occurs, centralized systems become single points of failure. Without local infrastructure, countries cannot ensure continuity of services for their citizens.

3. **Loss of Autonomy**
   - Relying on foreign infrastructure means a country doesn’t have full control over its own data or communication. This compromises national security and privacy for both individuals and governments.

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## Ukraine: A Real-Life Example of Infrastructure Targeting

In the early stages of the war in Ukraine, one of the first targets was the country's data centers and communication infrastructure. Bombing these centers disrupted access to critical systems, cutting off communication and data services. This highlighted the vulnerability of relying on centralized or exposed infrastructure during conflicts.

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## The Risks of Relying on Centralized Services Like Google or Microsoft

1. **Single Point of Failure**

Google and other tech giants operate as centralized hubs for many internet services, from search engines and email to cloud storage and apps.

If these services were disrupted (due to cyberattacks, internal decisions, or geopolitical conflicts), millions or even billions of people would lose access to essential tools overnight.

2. **Dependence on Foreign Entities**

Many countries rely on Google’s infrastructure for businesses, education, and government operations. If access to these services were blocked, it would lead to economic and societal chaos.

3. **Disaster in the Making**

A world dependent on a handful of centralized providers is a fragile one. If one of these providers experiences a major failure, it can create a ripple effect that impacts global economies, healthcare systems, and daily life.
