Freedom House GLOBAL INTERNET USER STATS 5 billion Over people have access to the internet. According to Freedom House estimates: 79 in countries where % live individuals were arrested or imprisoned for posting content on political, social, or religious issues. 67 in countries where % live individuals have been attacked or killed for their online activities since June 2023. 66% live in countries where authorities deployed progovernment commentators to manipulate online discussions. 65 in countries where % live websites hosting political, social, or religious content were blocked. 52% live in countries where access to social media platforms was temporarily or permanently restricted. 48 in countries where % live authorities disconnected internet or mobile networks, often for political reasons. @freedomhouse In at least 56 of the 72 countries covered by FOTN, internet users were arrested due to their political, social, or religious expression. A Thai prodemocracy activist was sentenced to 25 years in prison in March 2024, having been convicted under the country’s repressive lèse-majesté law for 18 posts about the monarchy on the social media platform X. Cuban authorities sentenced a woman to 15 years in prison for sedition and “enemy propaganda” after she shared images of protests on social media, including a video recording of police attacking demonstrators. In Pakistan, a court sentenced a 22-year-old student to death on blasphemy charges for preparing pictures and videos that denigrated the prophet Muhammad, and sentenced a 17-year-old to life in prison for sharing them on WhatsApp. Authorities around the world limited access to online spaces that people used to consume news, connect with loved ones, and mobilize for political and social change. Governments in at least 41 countries blocked websites that hosted political, social, and religious speech during the report’s June 2023 to May 2024 coverage period. In Kyrgyzstan, the government blocked the website of the independent media outlet Kloop after it reported on an imprisoned opposition figure’s allegations of torture in detention. Authorities later ordered a full liquidation of the umbrella organization that runs the outlet, further reducing people’s access to investigative reporting on government corruption and rights abuses. In at least 25 countries, governments restricted access to entire social media and communication platforms. French authorities ordered the blocking of TikTok in the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia to curb protests by members of the Kanak community, the island’s Indigenous people, that grew violent in May 2024 amid dissatisfaction with proposed electoral reforms. Internet freedom under fire Retaliatory violence for online expression from both state and nonstate actors, as well as deteriorating conditions For the first time in 10 years, China shared its designation as the world’s worst environment for internet freedom with a second country: Myanmar. freedomhouse.org 3