The Global Internet

The Great Cyber War was the beginning of the end for a free and open global Internet. 

Fractured Access:

Digital Divide: The economic disparity between megacorporations, PMCs, and struggling nations creates a stark digital divide. Wealthy nations and corporations have access to high-speed, secure networks, while poorer regions rely on slow, unreliable connections.

Censorship and Firewalls: PMCs and authoritarian governments heavily censor the web within their territories, controlling access to information and propaganda. The Joes and other resistance groups rely on shadow networks and dark web marketplaces to communicate and share information securely.

The Rise of the Splinternet:

Regional Internets: The once unified web has fractured into regional networks dominated by powerful corporations and governments. These "Splinternets" often have their own search engines, social media platforms, and content regulations.

Cyber Warfare: PMCs and governments engage in constant cyberwarfare, hacking into each other's networks, stealing data, and disrupting critical infrastructure. The Joes rely on Hivemind's hacking expertise to navigate this digital battlefield and counter COBRA's cyberattacks.

Information as a Weapon:

Propaganda Machines: PMCs like Cobra use the web to spread disinformation, manipulate public opinion, and recruit new soldiers. The Joes counter with their own information channels, exposing Cobra's atrocities and promoting ideals of freedom and justice.

Dark Web Markets: The dark web serves as a black market for weapons, mercenaries, and classified information. The Joes and other resistance groups use it to gather intelligence and acquire resources, while PMCs utilize it for nefarious purposes.

The Future of the Web: 

The future of the web in this world is uncertain. Will the Joes and other freedom fighters succeed in creating a more open and democratic online space? Or will PMCs and corporations further fragment the web, turning it into a collection of walled gardens serving their own agendas? The fight for control of the web is a crucial battleground in the larger war for the future.