Internet freedom is becoming an increasingly ephemeral concept, as many states control not only social networks and media, but also censor voice communications and messaging applications such as WhatsApp, Skype and Telegram. Currently, they are partially or completely restricted in a number of countries to protect the revenues of national telecommunications companies, as users are turning to new services instead of making calls over fixed or mobile communications.
Freedom House has released an annual Internet Freedom Rating in different countries of the world... To compile it, 65 countries were assessed according to three criteria:
- Internet access;
- restrictions on content placement;
- various violations of user rights.
The level of freedom in the Internet was indicated in points from 0 to 100. The lower the points, the more independent the Internet is in the country.
Introducing the top 10 countries with the freest internet in the world.
10. Georgia, 25 points
Compared to 2015, Georgia has improved its position, moving up one point. According to the compilers of the 2016 Internet Freedom Report, web content of any content is not censored in Georgia.
9. France, 25 points
After the terrorist attack that took place in the editorial office of the infamous Charlie Hebdo magazine, the French Ministry of Internal Affairs circulated a draft resolution according to which the department may require providers to block dangerous websites at the domain level. Thus, Europe has taken an important step to curtail civil liberties in order to protect society from terrorism.
8. England, 23 points
All internet traffic in the UK goes through a special filter system. She blocks access to obscene photos of children. If the user searches for such content, he will receive the message "URL not found".
7.Japan, 22 points
Despite the high level of freedom in the Japanese segment of the Internet, there is a very harsh punishment for network pirates. Those who illegally download files face either a 2 million yen ($ 25,700) "wallet emptying" or being sent to prison for up to 2 years.
6. Australia, 21 points
A cyber ambassador appeared in Australia in 2016. One of the tasks of Toby Fikin, appointed to this position, is to protect the Internet from government censorship.
5. Germany, 19 points
In the wake of the attacks in Europe, Germany passed legislation requiring providers to retain telecommunications data for up to 10 weeks, despite fierce opposition protests and a ruling from the EU Court of Justice that such requirements contravene basic human rights.
4. United States, 18 points
High-profile terrorist attacks in Europe and the United States have led to increased pressure on tech and internet companies. They are forced to cooperate more closely with law enforcement agencies regarding access to subscriber data.
3. Canada, 16 points
Sometimes freedom for some in Canada turns into imprisonment for others.Canadian Greg Elliot has voiced his online opposition to a campaign by Canadian feminists Stephanie Guthrie and Heather Reilly to campaign against the creator of a video game in which a feminist blogger can be beaten. After that, the activists went to court, as Elliot allegedly infringed on their freedom of speech. And the man was banned from using the Internet for a whole year, and he faces up to six months in prison.
2. Iceland, 6 points
Cheap electricity, support from the authorities, and an almost complete absence of crime contribute to the fact that Iceland is becoming one of the pillars of the Internet. There are many data centers in this country, and as for the freedom of users, Edward Snowden himself said in an interview that he would not mind settling in Iceland.
1. Estonia, 6 points
The current leader of the Internet Freedom Index in 2015 was ranked second. Now, according to Freedom House, he is the freest of the free, and Estonians need not be afraid that the government will infringe on their virtual rights.
Russia is on the 52nd line, lower than Ukraine (25th place) and Belarus (48th place). The “Yarovaya package”, in particular, which the compilers of the rating called “draconian measure” should be “thanked” for this. Among other provisions, it contains a ban on the removal of information about the facts of subscribers' connections by providers for three years, and content (including video) for up to 6 months.
China is in last place in the top 65 countries most free from Internet censorship.