Freedom House Freedom on the Net 2026 covers 38 countries in 6 regions around the world. The countries were chosen to illustrate internet freedom improvements and declines in a variety of political systems. Each country receives a numerical score from 100 (the most free) to 0 (the least free), which serves as the basis for an internet freedom status designation of FREE (100-70 points), PARTLY FREE (69-40 points), or NOT FREE (39-0 points). Ratings are determined through an examination of three broad categories: A. OBSTACLES TO ACCESS: Assesses infrastructural, economic, and political barriers to access; government decisions to shut off connectivity or block specific applications or technologies; legal, regulatory, and ownership control over internet service providers; and independence of regulatory bodies. B. LIMITS ON CONTENT: Examines legal regulations on content; technical filtering and blocking of websites; other forms of censorship and self-censorship; the vibrancy and diversity of the online environment; and the use of digital tools for civic mobilization. C. VIOLATIONS OF USER RIGHTS: Details legal protections and restrictions on free expression; surveillance and privacy; and legal and extralegal repercussions for online activities, such as prosecution, extralegal harassment and physical attacks, or cyberattacks. 36 31 30 28 27 27 26 25 21 19 16 9 9 Ira n My anm ar Cu ba Ru ssia Ch ina Nic ara gua Tur key Eth iop ia Egy pt Pak ista n Sud an Ven ezu ela Sau di A rab ia Bel aru s 9 freedomhouse.org 21