Global Internet Freedoms Deteriorated (Again) in 2025 – Germany, Georgia & US Lost Ground

In a troubling trend for digital rights, Freedom on the Net 2025 by Freedom House shows global internet freedoms declined for the 13th straight year. Even traditionally open democracies like Germany, Georgia, and the US lost ground, signaling a dangerous shift in digital rights.

Key Findings: A Worldwide Decline

The report assessed 75 countries (88% of global internet users), finding:
– 32 nations declined in internet freedom.
– Only 18 improved.
While authoritarian regimes like China, Iran, and Russia intensified crackdowns, democratic backsliding raised alarms.

Germany: Surveillance and Censorship Concerns

Germany, once a privacy leader, dropped 3 points due to:
– Expanded Network Enforcement Act (NetzDG)—vague “harmful content” rules risk over-censorship.
– AI-driven surveillance tools used by police, criticized by civil liberties groups.
“Germany is undermining free expression under the guise of fighting hate speech,” warned a Freedom House researcher.

Georgia: Political Chaos Hits Digital Rights

Georgia, previously a regional leader, faced a sharp decline after:
– Social media blackouts during protests.
– Arrests of online activists and pro-government troll networks.
With elections in 2026, experts fear further erosion.

US: Polarization and Privacy Erosion

The US fell 4 spots, its worst score in a decade, due to:
– State bans on VPNs and encryption (citing “national security”).
– Renewed PATRIOT Act expansions, increasing surveillance.
– Partisan fights over “fake news” laws and AI regulation.
“The US is no longer the gold standard,” the report noted.

Authoritarian Crackdowns Worsen

• China tightened its Great Firewall with AI monitoring.
• Iran and Russia blocked independent media.
• India faced scrutiny for frequent internet shutdowns.

Bright Spots: Hope Amid the Decline

A few countries made progress:
– Brazil strengthened data privacy laws.
– Estonia launched a global digital rights initiative.
– Kenya scrapped a controversial social media tax.

What Can Be Done?

To reverse the decline, Freedom House urges democracies to:
1. Limit broad surveillance laws.
2. Ensure transparent content moderation.
3. Boost digital literacy to counter disinformation.

“Democracies must lead by example—or risk losing the open internet,” the report concluded.

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