According to Freedom House’s Freedom on the Net 2025 report, global internet freedom has declined for the 15th consecutive year, with conditions worsening in 28 of the 72 countries assessed. The findings point to a troubling global trend marked by more arrests for online expression, expanded digital surveillance, and growing use of information manipulation by both authoritarian and democratic governments. While Iceland remains the freest online environment, countries such as Germany and the United States recorded score declines linked to pressure on digital activism and the criminalization of online speech. In this context, the report also highlights growing pressures in the Western Balkans and Türkiye: Serbia’s status dropped to “Partly Free” amid actions targeting online expression linked to protests, while Türkiye continues to face long-term concerns over censorship, legal pressure, and tighter control over the digital space, raising broader concerns for freedom of expression and access to information online. Read more here.
Source: Freedom House
