Released on October 18, a new research by Freedom House notes that Internet freedom around the world has fallen for the 12th year in a row, according to new research.
The latest edition of Freedom House’s Freedom on the Net report finds that human rights online deteriorated in 28 countries, with more than two-thirds of the world’s internet users living in countries that restrict free expression online.
China is once again the country with the least internet freedom. However, it was Russia that saw the sharpest drop in internet freedom, with the Kremlin intensifying its efforts to stifle domestic opposition and muzzle independent media following the so-called “special military operation” in Ukraine.
Other notable falls in internet freedom were reportedly seen in Myanmar, Sudan and Libya.
The report says a growing number of users only get to see content approved by their government, with authorities in 47 of the 70 countries covered by Freedom on the Net having limited users’ access to information sources located outside of their borders.
Freedom House gave each country a numerical score from 100 (the most free) to 0 (the least free).
As far as Central Asia’s nations are concerned, the report provides information about three of them: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.
Only Kyrgyzstan of them was designated as “partially free” because it received a score of 53 out of100 for its level of Internet and digital freedom.
Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan were designated as “not free”. Kazakhstan received a score of 32 out of 100 and Uzbekistan received a score of 27 out of 100.
The report notes that Internet freedom in Kazakhstan declined during the coverage period, largely because the government restricted internet access as protests took place across the country and ensuing violence—which it portrayed as a coup attempt broke out in Almaty in January 2022. More than 200 people died during the protests, including six people who were tortured to death by law enforcement, though rights groups claim the number is higher. Government officials compelled some outlets to remove their protest coverage, while journalists covering the events and Kazakhstani citizens faced unlawful detention and physical attack. Parliamentary and presidential elections are neither free nor fair, and major parties exhibit continued political loyalty to the government. The authorities have consistently marginalized or imprisoned genuine opposition figures. The dominant media outlets are either in state hands or owned by government-friendly businessmen. Freedoms of speech and assembly reportedly remain restricted, and corruption is endemic.
Internet freedom in Uzbekistan reportedly declined during the coverage period because the government blocked widely used social media platforms and messaging applications for violating data localization requirements, which were introduced via April 2021 amendments to the Law on Personal Data. Additionally, the government sought to control the media narrative around the Russian military’s invasion of Ukraine, warning journalists about their coverage. The government continued to impose multiyear prison sentences on bloggers, activists, and critics of the government during the coverage period.
The report notes that though internet access improved in Kyrgyzstan, the government implemented restrictive legislation that threatens the rights of users. The recently enacted Law on Protection from False Information enables a body within the Ministry of Culture, information, Sport, and Youth Policy to request websites and social media platforms delete content within 24 hours and gives them the power to block noncompliant websites. Moreover, the law compels mobile operators and internet service providers (ISPs) to identify their users and subscribers. Additionally, the law on National Security Bodies allows security services to conduct video and audio surveillance without a prior court decision. The coverage period was also marked by significant criminal charges against journalists, illegal wiretapping, and numerous reported hacking attempts journalists and members of civil society.
The report does not provide information about Tajikistan and Turkmenistan
Freedom House assesses the level of internet freedom in 70 countries around the world through its annual Freedom on the Net report.
Source: Asia-Plus