Which Countries are the Worst for Internet Freedom?

What is Internet Freedom and Why Does it Matter?

Internet freedom, often called digital freedom or online freedom, is the concept that individuals should have the right to access, use, and express themselves on the Internet without censorship, restrictions, or undue surveillance. It encompasses several key principles:

Access to Information: Internet freedom involves the right to access information, knowledge, and content available on the Internet without arbitrary barriers. People should be able to explore a wide range of ideas, news, and resources.

Freedom of Expression: This includes the ability to express one's opinions, thoughts, and ideas freely online, whether through social media, blogs, or other digital platforms. This freedom extends to artistic expression, political discourse, and personal communication.

Privacy and Data Protection: Internet freedom entails the right to personal privacy and control over one's data. Users should have the assurance that their online activities, communication, and personal information are secure from unwarranted surveillance and data misuse.

Net Neutrality: Net neutrality is crucial to internet freedom, advocating for equal access to all online content. It means that internet service providers (ISPs) should not discriminate against or prioritize specific types of content or websites, ensuring an open and level playing field.

Freedom from Censorship: Internet freedom opposes government-imposed censorship, content filtering, and website blocking. Governments or other entities should not have the authority to control or restrict online information.

Freedom from Online Surveillance: Surveillance should be transparent, legal, and limited in scope, conducted for legitimate purposes such as national security, and should not infringe upon individuals' privacy rights.

Digital Inclusivity: It encompasses the principle that everyone, regardless of location or socioeconomic status, should have equal access to the internet and its benefits.

Internet freedom is essential because it upholds fundamental human rights, including freedom of speech and the right to access information. It enables open discourse, innovation, and economic growth.

However, it is a complex thing.

The internet is a powerful tool and there will always be entities, such as governments, corporations, and other stakeholders, trying to take control or to use it to their advantage in some way.

Then, there is the challenge of balancing internet freedom with national security and regulatory concerns.

It can get messy.

This is why advocates like Freedom House work to ensure that individuals can use the internet without fear of censorship, surveillance, or undue restrictions.

They have their work cut out for them more so in some countries than others.

What is the Freedom on the Net Report?

Every year since 1973, Freedom House has published its Freedom on the Net report. To determine how free the internet is in countries worldwide, it focuses on three main areas:

• obstacles to access
• limits on content
• and violations of user rights

It then goes through a set of methodology questions to give a score out of 100. The higher the score, the more "free" the internet in that country is.

The 2023 report also considered how Artificial Intelligence is making an impact and has allowed governments to enhance and refine online censorship.

Here are some of its key findings:

• Global internet freedoms have declined for the 13th consecutive year.
• In a record 55 countries, people faced legal repercussions for expressing themselves online.
• People have been physically assaulted or killed for their online commentary in 41 countries.
• The report identified 16 countries in which AI-based tools were used to distort information on political or social issues.
• At least 47 governments deployed commentators to manipulate online discussions in their favor.
• A record 41 governments blocked websites with content that should be protected under free expression standards within international human rights law.

Where is Internet Freedom Most Under Threat?

Now that we've got a bit of context, it's time to find out where in the world the internet is most restricted. Below are some of the worst-scoring countries for internet freedom:

China: 09/100

It's probably no surprise that China makes the list, but you might not know that the country is the "world's worst abuser of internet freedom for the ninth consecutive year."

China's strict online censorship policies and its Great Firewall heavily curtail internet freedom.

Internet users in China can face severe legal and extralegal consequences for simply sharing news stories, talking about their religious beliefs, or communicating with family members and friends abroad.

Online criticism of the ruling party and posts about COVID-19 measures protests were removed from social media sites, with posters often arrested.

Human rights lawyers, journalists, activists, and members of religious and ethnic minority groups have also been arrested for their online activities.

Myanmar: 10/100

In Myanmar, the military, which seized power in February 2021, continues to suppress internet freedom amid civil disobedience, political opposition, and armed resistance.

Frequent internet shutdowns, increased data costs, online harassment, and prosecutions with lengthy prison sentences have created a hostile online environment.

All foreign-owned internet providers have left the country, meaning that the remaining providers are now under direct or indirect military control.

Internet users have been limited to a small list of approved websites. Those who use VPNs to get access to websites not on the military "whitelist" could face up to three years in jail.

Some users face life imprisonment for their online activities. In April 2023, a journalist, an actress, and two singers were arrested and charged with incitement for turning their Facebook profiles black in memory of the victims of a junta air strike on a village.

Iran: 11/100

The Iranian regime heavily restricts internet freedom through censorship, surveillance, harassment, and content manipulation.

In September 2022, major protests erupted in Iran following the death of Jina Mahsa Amini, who was arrested for not wearing her hijab and was later killed in custody.

In response to these ongoing protests, authorities cracked down by limiting internet access, blocking social media and communication platforms, conducting surveillance, imprisoning internet users, and using violence.

Despite this, Iranian internet users persistently employ online tools to resist government repression, challenge dress code regulations, and raise awareness of Amini's death, using the slogan "Woman, Life, Freedom."

But showing support for protests on social media, or voicing any sort of government criticism has led to arrests and even executions.

Cuba: 20/100

Despite some infrastructure improvements, Cuba has one of the lowest internet connectivity rates in the Western Hemisphere, and the quality of internet connections remains poor.

Authorities also monitor and direct internet traffic toward government-controlled networks and independent news sites are blocked.

Cuba's new Penal Code explicitly allows authorities to drastically limit freedom of expression on social media platforms. Additionally, if users are found to have knowingly shared “fake information”, they can face up to two years in prison or more if the information goes viral.

Russia: 21/100

Internet freedom in Russia has seen a significant decline in recent years, especially since its war on Ukraine.

The government has enacted more restrictive laws to tighten control over the information space. This has involved blocking major social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. It has also begun to impose fines on platforms that refuse to remove content and store user data locally.

The "foreign agents" law has been expanded to encompass a broader definition of individuals, giving the Ministry of Justice the power to block websites without a court order. News outlets and civil society organizations have been added to the list of "undesirable organizations," effectively criminalizing support for them.

Critics of Putin have faced harsh treatment, even his old "cronies". Igor Girkin, a former KGB officer, has been charged with “extremist activity,” for calling the Russian president a “lowlife” on his Telegram channel. But even younger internet users are facing extreme sentences for their Instagram stories.

Saudi Arabia: 25/100

Saudi Arabia imposes extensive censorship and surveillance on internet users, limiting access to diverse content and free expression. While most social media and communication platforms are available, authorities frequently block websites, manipulate online information to favor the government, and harshly punish criticism.

The threat of harassment or prosecution under broad laws compels many social media users to self-censor. During the period covered in the Freedom House report, Saudi courts handed down long prison sentences for peaceful online expression and activism.

Saudi authorities have also been pressuring platforms like Netflix and YouTube to remove content that it deems "inappropriate".

It has also been recruiting administrators to manipulate Wikipedia pages, intensifying crackdowns on political and religious speech, and handing down multi-decade prison sentences for social media content, even for actions as simple as retweeting posts.

Pakistan: 26/100

Internet freedom in Pakistan remains restricted, with the government imposing digital controls, leading to an escalating confrontation between former Prime Minister Imran Khan and the powerful military establishment.

Internet shutdowns, platform blocking, and arrests are routinely used to stifle unwanted online speech. Online activists, dissidents, and journalists face harassment not only online but also physical assault and forced "disappearances".

In May, journalist Imran Riaz Khan was arrested on his way to Oman and disappeared for four months. Just before his arrest, Khan posted a video message on X (Twitter) saying, the “space to talk is shrinking in the country and I am being forced into silence”.

Turkey: 30/100

Internet freedom in Turkey has steadily declined over the last decade due to increased censorship, criminalization of online speech, and the enactment of the Disinformation Law.

The law allows for prison sentences of up to three years for spreading "false information" online. Privacy experts are concerned that the law is being used to silence political opposition, activists, journalists, and social media users who are critical of the government.

Censorship is widespread in the country, with numerous websites and social media posts blocked or removed. Even the Turkish film festival has been canceled amid censorship controversy.

But does "free" really mean free?

Even countries that Freedom House classify as being "free" have many instances of internet censorship or using the internet to manipulate society.

Famously, Cambridge Analytica used data from Facebook to sway political discourse and influence voters in elections in the UK, USA, and India.

More recently, X (Twitter) users have been fired for their posts commenting on the Palestine/Israel war.

Image source: X (Twitter)

The UK government is even in on the act.

The Guardian recently reported that the Department for Education (DfE) has been actively monitoring the social media accounts of teaching staff, keeping files on posts that criticize its education policies.

The DfE even went as far as to threaten to withdraw funding to educational conferences if they allowed certain education experts to talk. The reason being that they didn't like their social media posts.

Internet Freedom, Once it's Gone...

The annual Freedom on the Net report sheds light on the concerning decline in global internet freedoms, emphasizing the critical need to safeguard online liberties.

These nations explored above serve as stark reminders of the importance of protecting our online liberties. They not only directly impact our fundamental human rights for freedom of speech but also the right to privacy.

As the internet becomes a battleground for control, it is our collective responsibility to advocate for and uphold internet freedom.

Everyone should be able to navigate the digital realm without fear of censorship, surveillance, or undue restrictions.

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