A concerning trend is unfolding globally as internet freedoms continue to erode, particularly in relation to elections. According to a new report by Freedom House, 25 countries have deliberately cut off internet access during election periods, while 43 governments have attacked or killed citizens for their online speech in 2024. These actions represent a significant decline in global internet freedoms, marking the 14th consecutive year of regression.
The State of Internet Freedoms in 2024
The Freedom on the Net 2024 report, published by Freedom House, reveals alarming data on the global state of digital rights. Covering 72 countries and assessing 87% of the world’s internet users, the report identifies a broad array of violations, from internet shutdowns and surveillance to online manipulation and disinformation. The report paints a stark picture of how governments, especially in election periods, are using the internet as a tool for political control.
One of the key findings is that at least 25 out of 41 countries holding elections in the reporting period (May 2023 to June 2024) resorted to blocking or limiting access to the internet, social media platforms, or websites that host political, social, or religious content. This tactic, designed to stifle dissent and hinder opposition campaigns, has been increasingly used to manipulate public perception and election outcomes.
In addition to censorship, disinformation campaigns have plagued elections. The report found that in 21 of these 41 countries, governments or their supporters manipulated online content to sway the vote or foster public distrust in the electoral process. This manipulation often went unchecked due to interference with journalists and researchers trying to document such practices, exacerbating the problem.
Internet Users Arrested for Political and Religious Views
The crackdown on online freedoms is not limited to election periods. In 56 countries, internet users were arrested for expressing political, religious, or social views deemed undesirable by the government. This repression reflects a growing trend of using digital spaces to control dissent, as governments become more sophisticated in their surveillance and censorship tactics.
Allie Funk, the research director for technology and democracy at Freedom House, highlighted the concerning trajectory: “Each year, free expression online is getting more and more restricted around the world, regardless of countries, whether they’re free, partly free, or not free. It’s a right that continuously is under attack.”
A Broader Crackdown on Internet Freedoms
Freedom House’s report highlights specific countries that have experienced the sharpest declines in digital freedoms, including Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Iraq, and Zimbabwe. These countries have been particularly aggressive in suppressing online speech, restricting access to information, and silencing critics. Meanwhile, Myanmar and China remain the world’s least free digital environments, with Myanmar’s military junta cracking down heavily on online dissent and China continuing its stringent internet censorship and surveillance apparatus.
Myanmar, in particular, has seen a dramatic rise in digital oppression since the military coup in 2021. The junta has systematically shut down the internet in various regions, imposed social media blackouts, and arrested citizens for speaking out online. China, already known for its Great Firewall and advanced internet censorship, continues to refine its methods of controlling the flow of information, making it one of the most restrictive countries for internet users.
The Threat of the United Nations Cybercrime Treaty
In addition to individual governments, international treaties are also raising concerns. Allie Funk pointed to the recently finalized United Nations cybercrime treaty as a potential threat to free expression online. While intended to combat cybercrime, critics argue that the treaty could provide authoritarian governments with more tools to justify online surveillance and censorship. Freedom House is urging countries to block the passage of the treaty, citing concerns over its implications for internet freedoms.
Generative AI and Election Manipulation
A notable development in the 2023-2024 period has been the increasing use of generative AI in election-related disinformation campaigns. Political actors, including bad-faith operators, have exploited AI tools to spread false information, further complicating the battle against digital manipulation. The report notes that while generative AI holds great potential, its misuse in creating fake content that is difficult to detect poses a significant challenge for researchers and policymakers alike.
Recommendations for Restoring Internet Freedoms
To address the growing challenges to internet freedom, Freedom House’s report includes several recommendations aimed at governments, technology companies, and civil society organizations. These include:
- Promoting information and speech freedoms: Governments and tech companies should ensure continuous access to the internet and digital platforms, especially during elections and times of conflict, to foster free expression and open dialogue.
- Strengthening the online ecosystem: Local media and civic education must be supported to create a healthier digital environment, particularly in regions where misinformation thrives.
- Investing in trust and safety measures: Technology companies should invest in more robust systems to counter disinformation, protect against surveillance technologies, and ensure privacy through end-to-end encryption.
- Recognizing the internet as a democratic institution: Governments must view a free and open internet as essential to democracy and work collectively with other democratic nations to preserve internet freedoms globally.
- Addressing generative AI misuse: Tech companies must be proactive in developing tools to identify and counteract AI-generated disinformation, while also ensuring transparency in how these technologies are used.
As the world becomes more interconnected and reliant on digital platforms, the protection of internet freedoms is crucial for maintaining democratic principles. Without concerted global efforts, the gap between the growing cyber threats and the ability to defend against them will only continue to widen, leaving millions vulnerable to government overreach and digital oppression.
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