A recent study by Freedom House has found that Myanmar has tied with China for having the worst record on internet freedom globally. This marks the first time in a decade that any country has matched China’s low score in the report. The military junta in Myanmar, a close ally of China, has cracked down harshly on dissent following the seizure of power in 2021. The government has imposed censorship and surveillance measures on online speech, including blocking access to virtual private networks (VPNs) that residents have used to bypass internet controls.
The Freedom on the Net report revealed that internet freedom has declined for the 14th consecutive year worldwide, with more countries seeing declines than improvements. Kyrgyzstan was noted to have the biggest drop in the survey, with authorities shutting down the website Kloop, which reported on allegations of torture by an opposition leader in custody. Other countries that were downgraded included Azerbaijan, which detained people over social media posts, and Iraq, where a prominent activist was killed after posting messages on Facebook encouraging protests.
Despite the overall decline in internet freedom globally, some countries showed improvements. Zambia, for example, saw significant progress in creating space for online activism. In terms of rankings, Iceland was rated as the most free online, followed by Estonia, Canada, Chile, and Costa Rica. The United States maintained its position at 76 on a 100-point scale in the report, with Freedom House expressing concerns about the lack of safeguards against government surveillance. The report also highlighted actions taken by 19 US states to address the misuse of artificial intelligence in election campaigns.
China, known for its “great firewall” which censor content deemed threatening to the ruling Communist Party, has been a key player in limiting online freedom. Coupled with Myanmar’s increased restrictions on internet access, these developments underscore the broader trend of decreasing internet freedom globally. The report’s findings demonstrate the importance of safeguarding online freedom and protecting the rights of individuals to express themselves and access information online. As countries navigate the challenges posed by digital authoritarianism, efforts to promote internet freedom and counteract censorship are crucial to upholding democracy and human rights in the digital age.
