Freedom on Net Rankings Expose Online Restrictions

The freedom to access the internet without restrictions is a fundamental right, but it's not a universal truth. Only 25 out of 65 countries scored a perfect 100 on the freedom on net ranking.

The restrictions vary from country to country, but they often involve blocking or filtering of certain websites, social media platforms, and online services. In some countries, the government has even installed deep-packet inspection technology to monitor internet traffic.

The freedom on net ranking is based on a set of criteria that evaluates the level of internet freedom in each country. These criteria include the blocking of websites and services, the filtering of online content, and the use of surveillance technology.

Countries like China and Iran have the lowest scores, with China ranking 176th and Iran ranking 177th out of 180 countries.

Expand your knowledge: Net Neutrality by Country

Freedom on the Net country assessments are based on a detailed narrative report and numerical score, developed in consultation with international experts. This methodology is used to evaluate internet freedom in various countries.

The numerical score is based on a composite of indicator scores, which can be high-level or more granular. For example, the OpenNet Initiative assigned scores for internet filtering on a five-point scale in four broad categories: political, social, conflict/security, and internet tools.

The rankings use various tools to facilitate deeper analysis, such as dashboards, interactive maps, narrative elements, and supplemental materials. Graphic presentations are increasingly popular, with map-based visualizations being the most popular for country rankings.

The methodology guides for the rankings are publicly available, providing insight into data collection and ranking practices. Six of the seven rankings include publicly available methodology guides, which help shed light on the approach and methods used.

The rankings use a variety of tools to present their findings, including interactive dashboards, maps, and narrative elements. These tools enable users to compare actors, track changes over time, and explore specific indicators.

Here's a summary of the tools used by the rankings:

The explicit disclosure of methodology guides helps users understand the approach and methods used in the ranking. This transparency is essential for assessing the relative importance of subjective expert judgments versus "objective" indicators.

Six of the seven rankings use some form of numerical indexing to evaluate internet freedom, with indicators ranging from high-level scores to granular point-based scores.

Rankings can also assign labels or categories, creating a hierarchy of actors who perform better or worse in specific areas. For instance, OpenNet Initiative provides five labels to measure the level of internet filtering, while Freedom on the Net labels countries as "free", "partly free" or "not free".

The rankings use various tools that facilitate deeper analysis, such as dashboards enabling comparison between actors, across years or on specific indicators; static or interactive maps inscribing the ranking outcomes into geopolitical borders; narrative elements such as in-depth case studies, testimonies or quotes; and supplemental materials targeting particular audiences, such as data sets or additional graphics.

Here's a breakdown of the types of ranking approaches and tools used by the seven rankings:

If you're interested in exploring the data behind the rankings, you can download the relevant files from our database.

The 2024 Country Score Data (.xlsx) is available for download, providing a comprehensive look at the scores of various countries.

This data is presented in an easy-to-read Excel format, making it simple to analyze and compare the scores.

You can also download the 2024 Key Internet Controls Data (.xlsx), which offers a detailed breakdown of internet control measures across different countries.

Lastly, the 2024 Data for Essay and Graphics (.xlsx) is also available, providing a useful resource for those looking to create visual aids or essays based on the data.

Here are the available data files:

We study 72 countries in our latest report, a significant increase from the 15 countries covered in our 2009 pilot edition.

These countries were selected based on the size of their internet population, regional or global positioning, and the unique quality of their restrictions or protections on the internet.

The countries selected cover 87 percent of the global internet population, ensuring that the vast majority of users are analyzed in the project.

This comprehensive approach allows us to gain a deeper understanding of the online landscape and identify trends and patterns that might not be apparent in a smaller sample size.

The selection process ensures that our report is representative of the global internet population, providing valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and citizens alike.

Rankings as Public Performances are a crucial aspect of data and rankings. They can be approached as organisational units to examine their emergence and development over time.

The diversity in rankings' approaches to framing internet freedom and their presentation strategies is striking. This reflects their diverse aims as well as their intended audiences.

Rankings use various tools to facilitate deeper analysis, such as dashboards, static or interactive maps, narrative elements, and supplemental materials. Graphic presentations are increasingly popular, allowing for an easier-to-grasp and more impactful presentation of ranking results.

Table 2 provides a comprehensive overview of rankings as public performances, highlighting their use of quantitative and qualitative data, information and visualisation tools, and tracking of changes over time.

A fresh viewpoint: O Net Data

The table shows that rankings like Freedom on the Net and World Press Freedom Index use interactive maps, dashboards, and label colour codes to present their findings. In contrast, Enemies of the Internet relies on lists and narrative reports, while the Web Index uses interactive dashboards, graphs, and embeddable visualisations.

Ranking reports are typically structured with a narrative summarising the key findings, illustrated by specific data or examples. This is followed by lists of criteria, labels, and numerical values attached to key indicators, which are usually accompanied by corresponding narratives or visualisations.

The ranking organisations engage in extensive adjacent actions such as launch events, press releases, and media campaigns to support ranking visibility and to engage intended audiences.

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Freedom of expression is essential for a healthy democracy. It allows citizens to share their thoughts and opinions without fear of censorship or retribution.

The internet has become a crucial platform for freedom of expression, with over 4.1 billion people worldwide having access to it. This has enabled people to connect with others across the globe and share their ideas, cultures, and perspectives.

Online censorship can have severe consequences, including limiting access to information and stifling creativity. In some countries, online censorship is used to suppress dissenting voices and maintain control over the population.

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The concept of defining has been around for a while. Ancient philosophers like Aristotle and Plato discussed the idea of definition in their works.

Aristotle's definition of definition was based on the concept of genus and differentia. He believed that a definition should identify the unique characteristics of a thing.

Plato, on the other hand, thought that definitions should be based on abstract concepts and universal truths.

The term "define" itself has its roots in the Latin word "definire", which means "to set limits." This idea of setting limits is still a key part of the definition process today.

In the context of language, definitions are used to clarify the meaning of words and phrases. A definition is a statement that describes the essential characteristics of a word or phrase.

The process of defining has evolved over time, influenced by advances in science, technology, and philosophy. Today, definitions are used in a variety of fields, from science and medicine to law and business.

Freedom on the Net measures the ways governments and non-state actors restrict our rights online. It's a complex task, but Freedom House has developed a methodology to make sense of it all.

The methodology includes three main categories: Obstacles to Access, Limits on Content, and Violations of User Rights. These categories help identify the different ways governments and others restrict our online freedom.

Obstacles to Access looks at the barriers to getting online, including infrastructural, economic, and political issues. It also examines government decisions to shut off connectivity or block specific apps and technologies.

Limits on Content analyzes the laws and regulations that control what we can and can't say online. This includes technical filtering and blocking of websites, as well as censorship and self-censorship.

Violations of User Rights tackles the legal protections and restrictions on free expression, surveillance, and privacy. It also looks at the repercussions for online speech and activities, such as imprisonment or cyberattacks.

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Here are the three categories with a brief description of each:

Freedom on Net is a complex and multifaceted issue, but there are some bright spots to report. Twenty-six countries experienced net improvements in internet freedom over the past year, the highest such figure since the inception of Freedom on the Net.

The Gambia is one of the countries that has made significant progress in internet freedom. Despite being ranked "partly free" on the index, The Gambia has seen a multi-year improvement and enacted a law that was developed using a multistakeholder model.

The best performers on the overall index include Iceland, Estonia, Costa Rica, Canada, and Taiwan. These countries have taken innovative action to counteract the impact of disinformation campaigns originating from China, which poses a major existential threat to Taiwan.

Some countries, however, are working to ban certain sites and words that limit internet freedom. The People's Republic of China has the world's largest number of internet users and one of the most sophisticated and aggressive internet censorship and control regimes in the world.

Internet shutdowns are also a major concern. At least 20 countries blocked people's internet access between June 2020 and May 2021, the period covered by the survey. This includes Myanmar, which was singled out for heavy criticism after the military seized power in a coup in February.

Here are some of the countries that have been praised for their progress in internet freedom:

Note that while there are bright spots, the report also warns that governments are using the regulation of tech companies for repressive purposes. In the high-stakes battle between states and technology companies, the rights of internet users have become the main casualties.

Freedom on the Net has a significant impact on global discussions about internet freedom, with hundreds of media mentions in over 72 countries each year.

The report is widely cited by policymakers, including senior government officials such as the President of Estonia, Sweden's Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister.

Freedom on the Net is also used by activists and civil society organizations to draw attention to their government's policies and call for positive change, as seen in Nigeria's Digital Rights and Freedom Bill drafted in 2014.

The report is frequently cited at high-profile international events such as the Internet Governance Forum, UN sessions, and Freedom Online Coalition meetings.

Representatives from the private sector and government agencies also rely on Freedom on the Net's research findings, with tech companies using it for market research and due diligence.

The Freedom on the Net project has a significant impact on global discussions on internet freedom, with hundreds of media mentions in over 72 countries each year.

Policymakers rely on Freedom on the Net to inform global issues, with senior government officials like the President of Estonia and the Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister citing the report.

Activists and civil society organizations use Freedom on the Net to draw attention to their government's policies and call for positive change, like in Nigeria where the project served as the foundation for a Digital Rights and Freedom Bill.

The report is frequently cited at high-profile international events such as the Internet Governance Forum, UN sessions, and Freedom Online Coalition meetings.

Tech companies use Freedom on the Net to perform market research and due diligence, and to understand how their practices can promote, preserve, or undermine internet freedom.

U.S. foreign aid agencies like the Millennium Challenge Corporation utilize Freedom on the Net's research findings as an indicator to determine aid eligibility for prospective countries.

The Corporate Accountability Index is a powerful tool for measuring a company's commitment to transparency and accountability. It assesses 14 indicators across four areas: anti-corruption, human rights, environment, and social responsibility.

Companies like Unilever and Reckitt Benckiser scored high on the index, indicating their strong commitment to corporate accountability. They have implemented robust systems to prevent corruption and ensure fair labor practices.

The index also highlights areas for improvement, such as companies that have failed to disclose their lobbying activities. For instance, companies like ExxonMobil and Chevron have been criticized for their lack of transparency in their lobbying efforts.

In contrast, companies like IKEA and H&M have made significant strides in reducing their environmental impact. They have implemented sustainable supply chain practices and set ambitious targets to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

The Corporate Accountability Index provides a valuable benchmark for companies to measure their performance and identify areas for improvement. By using this index, companies can demonstrate their commitment to transparency and accountability.

This year, users faced physical attacks in retribution for their online activities in 41 countries, a "record high" since tracking started 11 years ago.

In some countries, pro-government trolls seek to manipulate online debates, which can be a major concern for freedom on the net.

The report found that people had been arrested or convicted for their online activities in 56 out of the 70 countries covered, a record 80 percent.

A Bangladeshi student was hospitalised after a beating for alleged "anti-government activities" on social media.

A Mexican journalist was assassinated after posting a Facebook video accusing a gang of murder.

Two Egyptian influencers were jailed in June for sharing TikTok videos that encouraged women to pursue careers on social media platforms.