walled garden
n. Content or services that exist within a private, controlled environment instead of a public, open environment such as the Internet.
Examples
2000
AOL brings a particularly ferocious reputation for keeping control of the customer. It has erected a "walled garden" on the Internet, seeking to persuade its customers to stay on its site and not stray elsewhere.
—Peter S. Goodman, “Wireless Internet Ventures Unveiled,” The Washington Post, July 18, 2000
1995 (earliest)
To this end, it has begun trials with 12 schools to examine the practicalities of linking school networks to the Internet. 'Remote access to the Internet with central management of the link is an ideal arrangement,' says Mr Teague.

A final concern for schools will be how to manage the range of information to which students have access. Several companies provide managed access for schools, but few have developed the service. BT is to launch an updated service for schools, known as CampusWorld, in September.

Mr Sansom says it will provide 'walled garden access' to the Internet, bringing a vetted, but still extensive, information store within the reach of students online, with passwords required for full Internet access.
—John Davitt, “Information technology: flowering in a walled garden,” The Observer, June 25, 1995
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