The global decline in internet freedom has continued for the 15th consecutive year, with Western democracies such as the United States and Germany imposing growing restrictions online, according to a recent survey by Freedom House. The annual report, which assesses internet freedom in countries around the world, found that global internet freedom fell, with declines in several countries classified as “free.”
Freedom House, a democracy promotion research group based in Washington, attributed the decline to worsening repression in authoritarian and authoritarian-leaning states, where governments see restrictions on the internet and online expression as a means of maintaining power. However, the report also noted a decline in internet freedom in democracies, particularly in North America and Western Europe, where there is a trend towards closing civic space and restricting online content deemed hateful or problematic.
In the United States, internet freedom scored 73 out of 100, its lowest ever figure, down three points from the previous year. The report cited the detention of non-US citizens over their online expression by the Trump administration, as well as Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s vow to deport people over statements on Israel, which has been challenged in court. Germany also saw a decline in internet freedom, with a score of 74, due to growing self-censorship and the enforcement of laws prohibiting hate speech and defamation.
The report highlighted the case of a far-right website editor who was given a suspended jail sentence and fine over a social media post that included a manipulated image criticizing a politician. The Trump administration has criticized Germany’s free speech record, despite the country’s historical context and efforts to impose safeguards against hate speech and defamation.
Other countries that experienced significant declines in internet freedom included Kenya, Venezuela, and Georgia. Serbia was downgraded from “free” to “partly free,” while Nicaragua was classified as “not free.” In contrast, Bangladesh saw the biggest gain in internet freedom, following the formation of a new government that loosened restrictions after a student revolt.
The decline in internet freedom has significant implications for democracy and human rights, as it limits the ability of citizens to express themselves freely and access information online. The report’s findings highlight the need for governments to balance the need to regulate online content with the need to protect freedom of expression and other human rights. As the debate over internet regulation continues, it remains to be seen how governments will respond to the challenges posed by the online world.