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Global internet freedom declined for the 16th consecutive year, as governments erected new barriers to how people access information and express themselves online. Expanding internet shutdowns, growing digital isolation, and new restrictions on online access are reshaping the global internet.
Internet freedom deteriorated in 16 of the 38 countries assessed, while just 8 registered improvements. Iran experienced the year's largest decline, joining China and Myanmar among the world's worst environments for internet freedom. Bangladesh recorded the strongest improvement for the second consecutive year, while Estonia ranked as the freest online environment.
Authoritarian governments accelerated efforts to isolate their populations from the global internet. Iranian authorities imposed the longest nationwide internet shutdown ever recorded by Freedom on the Net, cutting off most of the population for approximately 88 days. In Russia, authorities expanded internet shutdowns and consolidated control over internet service providers, advancing efforts to restrict access to the global internet.
New age-verification requirements are transforming how people access online spaces. As governments increasingly mandate age checks for social media and other online content, these measures are creating new risks to privacy, security, and online anonymity. Repressive governments have also sought to exploit such requirements to expand surveillance.
Governments are grappling with the challenges posed by artificial intelligence. New measures to address AI-generated impersonation, harassment, and other online harms have advanced, but some have raised concerns about government overreach and restrictions on free expression.
Political change has also created opportunities for progress. Bangladesh and the Gambia demonstrated how the removal of repressive leaders and sustained democratic reforms can help reverse restrictions on internet freedom, even as significant challenges remain.
As the internet undergoes seismic shifts, protecting free expression, privacy, and access to information must remain central to shaping its future.
Explore the findings, country assessments, and recommendations from #FreedomOnTheNet 2026: freedomhouse.org/report/freedom…
Global internet freedom declined for the 16th consecutive year, as governments erected new barriers to how people access information and express themselves online. Expanding internet shutdowns, growing digital isolation, and new restrictions on online access are reshaping the global internet.
Internet freedom deteriorated in 16 of the 38 countries assessed, while just 8 registered improvements. Iran experienced the year's largest decline, joining China and Myanmar among the world's worst environments for internet freedom. Bangladesh recorded the strongest improvement for the second consecutive year, while Estonia ranked as the freest online environment.
Authoritarian governments accelerated efforts to isolate their populations from the global internet. Iranian authorities imposed the longest nationwide internet shutdown ever recorded by Freedom on the Net, cutting off most of the population for approximately 88 days. In Russia, authorities expanded internet shutdowns and consolidated control over internet service providers, advancing efforts to restrict access to the global internet.
New age-verification requirements are transforming how people access online spaces. As governments increasingly mandate age checks for social media and other online content, these measures are creating new risks to privacy, security, and online anonymity. Repressive governments have also sought to exploit such requirements to expand surveillance.
Governments are grappling with the challenges posed by artificial intelligence. New measures to address AI-generated impersonation, harassment, and other online harms have advanced, but some have raised concerns about government overreach and restrictions on free expression.
Political change has also created opportunities for progress. Bangladesh and the Gambia demonstrated how the removal of repressive leaders and sustained democratic reforms can help reverse restrictions on internet freedom, even as significant challenges remain.
As the internet undergoes seismic shifts, protecting free expression, privacy, and access to information must remain central to shaping its future.
Explore the findings, country assessments, and recommendations from #FreedomOnTheNet 2026: freedomhouse.org/report/freedom…
