FREEDOM ON THE NET 2021 The Global Drive to Control Big Tech human rights online. Costa Rica, one of the first countries to recognize internet access as a fundamental right, took third place. Its legal framework includes strong guarantees for free expression and safeguards against abusive surveillance. Taiwan enters Freedom on the Net with a fifth-place ranking. The country boasts a vibrant online landscape supported by meaningful and affordable internet access, an independent judiciary that protects free expression, and a lack of website blocks. Taiwanese authorities have responded to adverse Chinese government influence with innovative regulations and democratic oversight of digital technology. However, users still contend with disinformation campaigns and debilitating cyberattacks, and some individuals have faced criminal prosecutions and fines for their online speech. A fraught environment in the United States Internet freedom declined in the United States for the fifth consecutive year. The spread of false and conspiracist content about the November 2020 elections shook the foundations of the American political system, culminating in outgoing president Donald Trump’s incitement of a violent mob to halt the certification of the election results on January 6, 2021. Several platforms took the dramatic step of deactivating Trump’s accounts over the incident, which sparked renewed debate about the power of companies to police politicians’ speech, as well as their responsibility to help prevent offline violence. A raft of new proposed laws, policies, and appointments in 2021 signaled a potential shift in approach by the administration of President Joseph Biden. An executive order issued in June 2021 rescinded President Trump’s August 2020 decision to halt transactions between US The spread of false and conspiracist content about the November 2020 elections shook the foundations of the American political system on January 6, 2021. 6 @freedomonthenet GLOBAL INTERNET USER STATS 3.8 billion Over people have access to the internet. According to Freedom House estimates: 75 in countries where % live individuals were arrested or imprisoned for posting content on political, social, or religious issues. 72 in countries where % live individuals have been attacked or killed for their online activities since June 2020. 64% live in countries where authorities deployed progovernment commentators to manipulate online discussions. 56 in countries where % live political, social, or religious content was blocked online. 46 in countries where % live access to social media platforms was temporarily or permanently restricted. 41 in countries where % live authorities disconnected internet or mobile networks, often for political reasons. #FreedomOnTheNet