The USA can shut down the entire internet by deactivating root DNS servers based there
the verdict
REFUTED
the evidence says no
confidence 2/100
The claim is refuted because the internet's Domain Name System relies on a globally distributed network of root server mirrors (Anycast) rather than a single cluster in the USA, meaning deactivating servers in one location would not shut down the global internet.
Evidence against · 3
Blockchain Based Decentralized Technology For Internet Naming Systems
2023 · cited by 1
Paper discusses how decentralized blockchain naming systems remove single points of failure like traditional root server dependencies.
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More against · 2
A Cross-Chain Solution to Connect Multiple DNS Blockchains in Consensus Roots System
2025 · cited by 0
Paper highlights the security risks of centralized domain architectures and proposes distributed root systems to ensure long-term stability.
Cross-DNS: Domain resolution with a reputation-driven cross-chain framework for global expansion
2026 · cited by 0
Paper notes that traditional centralized DNS architectures face significant challenges with centralized control, motivating distributed frameworks to control such risks.