Who controls the internet? Learn how the internet works.

Have you ever wondered, friends, who actually runs the internet? Who controls the internet across the globe?

You might think that internet service providers like Jio, Airtel, or BSNL control it. But that isn’t true; if one company stops providing internet service, another is available to take its place. You might then assume that the government controls the internet. However, that isn’t entirely accurate either. While the government can remove certain posts or block websites, these measures can be bypassed, and no single government has significant control over the global internet. This might lead you to think that companies like Google, Facebook, and YouTube control the internet because they possess the most data. But that isn’t true either; you can create your own website, and these companies cannot interfere with it.

So, the question arises: when you create your own website, who provides the space for it on the internet?

Who controls the internet?

The internet is a crucial tool for maintaining freedom and democracy worldwide. There are countries, such as China, that completely restrict their citizens’ access; websites like Google, YouTube, and Facebook are permanently blocked there.

That is why, friends, it is essential to understand what the internet is and how it works.

What is a Domain Name?

YouTube.com is a URL—a link. In this, “YouTube” is referred to as the Domain Name, and “.com” is called the Top-Level Domain. If you want to create a website, you need to purchase a domain name. There are specific websites that sell domain names; for instance, you might visit GoDaddy.com to buy a domain name for your website. But the question remains: who gave GoDaddy the authority to sell domain names? Did it become the “boss” of the internet? Is this what determines who can own a particular website? But that’s not the case, friends. There is an authority above that.

What is ICANN?

That authority is called ICANN—the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers. ICANN is a non-profit organization based in Los Angeles. You could call it the top-level authority for the internet. It has the power to authorize companies like GoDaddy to sell domain names such as .com. This authority decides which websites are permitted to sell domain names. It is the top-level authority that determines which domain names can exist—such as .com, .in, .info, or even .gov. ICANN decides that websites ending in .gov or domain names ending in .com can be created. Although it is a non-profit organization, it assigns top-level domain names to other companies through a bidding process. The companies that receive these domain names are known as “Registries.”

You can visit the ICANN website to see the various top-level domains available.

Is ICANN the “God” of the internet?

This raises the question: can ICANN be considered the “God” of the internet?

That is not the case, friends, because the internet is a highly decentralized network. Think of it as a network. The computers and mobile phones connected to the internet are what actually constitute the internet. You can think of them as servers. Your mobile phone, your computer, any data center, or any server—they are all interconnected via cables. Massive underwater cables are laid across the globe, connecting different continents. The internet network operates through these connections.

How does the internet work on mobile phones?

You might be wondering: “My mobile phone isn’t connected to any cable, so how does the internet work on it?” Mobile phones operate using mobile towers. Technologies like 3G and 4G do not have a very wide range; you generally receive a 3G or 4G signal on your phone only when you are close to the tower.

If you move a bit further away, the signal drops. Mobile towers are actually connected via cables—cables that ultimately link up with a global network of wires. You can easily visualize this on a map: a major cable runs to a point like Mumbai in India, and from there, lines branch out to various locations across the country, delivering internet access to different regions.

What is an Internet Service Provider (ISP)?

In a sense, the company that lays these cables holds significant power, as it is responsible for delivering the internet to various locations and connecting different areas. These companies are known as Internet Service Providers, or ISPs. Companies like Airtel, Jio, and BSNL are examples of ISPs that bring the internet to your home. They wield significant power because, at the government’s behest, they can block access to certain websites.

However, they do not have enough power to control every aspect of the internet; for instance, you can bypass an ISP’s blocks by using a VPN.

What is DNS?

When you dial a number on a phone, the call connects to another phone, allowing you to speak with someone.

Similarly, when you enter an IP address into your browser, the request goes to a server, and the corresponding website appears on your computer. You might ask, “But I enter a domain name, not an IP address.” Well, domain names are linked to IP addresses. In reality, IP addresses are difficult for humans to read because they consist of strings of digits and numbers. Therefore, a domain name serves as a human-readable version of an IP address. When you type a website’s domain name into your browser, the system that converts that domain name into an IP address is the Domain Name Server, or DNS.

How can DNS be changed?

If a website’s domain name fails to link to its IP address, it often means your Internet Service Provider’s (ISP) DNS is blocking you from accessing that site. To get around this, you can use a public DNS, such as Google’s DNS (8.8.8.8). You can change your DNS settings on your mobile phone or computer to use Google’s DNS. Using a VPN is another method available to you.

Who controls the internet?

So, let’s return to our original question: who controls the internet?

Who owns the internet?

The correct answer is that it belongs to no one and everyone at the same time, because the internet functions only as a decentralized system.If you want to become a part of the internet or establish a presence online, you can create your own website.

How do you create a website?

How can you build a website?

First, purchase a domain name. Then, you need to buy a server where your website can be stored. You might already have a server, but it may lack the processing power or storage space required to host an entire website. Furthermore, it might not run 24/7. Your website will remain available to others on the internet 24/7 only if your computer or phone stays running 24/7. That is why, generally, large companies have established data centers and set up massive servers. These are highly secure; you can purchase server space from them to host your website. Then, you need to link your domain name to the server and publish your DNS settings.

Just imagine: if you have a website but treat it merely like a hard drive kept at home, the entire world won’t be able to access it—only you could, as it would be protected by a username and password.

So, you effectively have a website that you are using just like a hard drive.