FREEDOM ON THE NET 2026 Seismic Shifts on the Global Internet 6. Are there economic, regulatory, or other constraints that negatively affect individuals’ ability to publish content online? (0–3 points) • • • Are favorable informal connections with government officials or other powerful actors necessary for online media outlets, content hosts, or digital platforms (like search engines, email applications, or blog-hosting platforms) to be economically viable? Does the state limit the ability of online media or other content hosts to accept advertising or investment, particularly from foreign sources, or does it discourage advertisers from conducting business with disfavored online media or other content hosts? Do onerous taxes, regulations, or licensing fees present an obstacle to participation in, establishment of, or management of digital platforms, news outlets, blogs, or social media groups/channels? 7. Does the online information landscape lack diversity and reliability? (0–4 points) • • • • Are people able to access a range of local, regional, and international news sources that convey independent, balanced views in the main languages spoken in the country? Do online media outlets, social media pages, and websites represent diverse interests and languages within society, for example by providing content produced by different ethnic, religious, gender, LGBT+, migrant, diaspora, and other relevant groups? Does a lack of competition among digital platforms, content hosts, and other intermediaries undermine the diversity of information to which people have access? Does false or misleading content online, including content produced by generative AI tools, significantly contribute to offline harms, such as harassment, property destruction, physical violence, or death? 8. Do conditions impede individuals’ ability to form communities, mobilize, and campaign online, particularly on political and social issues? (0–6 points) • • • • • • Can people freely participate in civic life online and join online communities based around their political, social, or cultural identities without fear of retribution or harm? Do civil society organizations, activists, and communities organize online on political, social, cultural, and economic issues, including during electoral campaigns and nonviolent protests, and without fear of retribution or harm? Do people use generative AI tools to engage in online mobilization? Do state or other actors limit access to online tools and websites (like social media platforms, messaging groups, petition websites, or generative AI tools) for the purpose of restricting free assembly and association online? Does the state use legal or other means (such as criminal provisions, detentions, or surveillance) to restrict free assembly and association online? Does the state use facial or other biometric technologies to identify and apprehend people attending protests that were organized online? C. VIOLATIONS OF USER RIGHTS (0–40 POINTS) 1. Do the constitution or other laws fail to protect rights such as freedom of expression, access to information, and press freedom, including on the internet, and are they enforced by a judiciary that lacks independence? (0–6 points) • • • • 30 Does the constitution contain language that provides for freedom of expression, access to information, and press freedom generally? Are there laws or binding legal decisions that specifically protect online modes of expression, access to information, and press freedom? Do executive, legislative, and other governmental authorities comply with these legal decisions, and are these decisions effectively enforced? Is the judiciary independent, and do senior judicial bodies and officials support free expression, access to information, and press freedom online? @freedomhouse #FreedomOnTheNet