Final answer:
Routers do not necessarily use the fastest path but instead use algorithms to find the most efficient path for data packets, considering factors such as network congestion and policy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that routers along the Internet backbone forward data packets to their destination using the fastest available path is false. Routers actually use complex algorithms to determine the most efficient path, which is not necessarily the fastest. These decisions are based on a variety of factors such as network congestion, number of hops, and sometimes the policy or cost considerations of the network providers.
Routing protocols like BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) used on the Internet are designed to route data efficiently rather than strictly the fastest. Moreover, the path a packet takes can change in case a particular route becomes unavailable or less efficient due to network changes or disruptions.