Global Internet freedom has declined for the sixth consecutive year, according to a report released Monday.
“Two-thirds of all Internet users, 67 percent, live in countries where criticism of the government, military, or ruling family are subject to censorship,” according to the annual report by watchdog group Freedom House.
The study’s authors said governments have ramped up their crackdowns of social media users. These governments are also going after smartphone apps aimed at ensuring secure communications.
“[A]uthorities in 38 countries made arrests based on social media posts over the past year,” Freedom House wrote. “Globally, 27 percent of all internet users live in countries where people have been arrested for publishing, sharing, or merely ‘liking’ content on Facebook.”
Estonia, according to the study, allows the most freedom online. Iceland and Canada are next on the list, respectively, with the United States coming in fourth. China is the least free, followed by Syria and Iran.
The most common form of censored speech is the criticism of ruling authorities, censored in 49 out of 65 countries, the study said. A total of 21 countries regulate social commentary on issues “including history and natural disasters” and 20 regulate religious blasphemy.
The study examined 65 countries around the globe, covering 88 percent of global Internet users.
