Internet Freedom Under Threat, says US Watchdog

An Afghan woman browsing the net at a public internet cafe in Kabul (Reuters)

Internet freedom is under threat in many countries as attacks on bloggers, restrictive laws, content manipulation and politically motivated surveillances are seen to be on the rise, says the US watchdog Freedom House.

In its report, Freedom on the Net 2012: Shifting Methods of Internet Control, the organisation says that despite these issues, efforts from civil society, tech companies and independent courts have helped improve the situation.

"The findings clearly show that threats to internet freedom are becoming more diverse," said Sanja Kelly, project director forFreedom on the Net.

"As authoritarian rulers see that blocked websites and high-profile arrests draw local and international condemnation, they are turning to murkier - but no less dangerous - methods for controlling online conversations."

The internet plays an influential role in modern society with nearly one-third of the world's population using it, the watchdog notes.

Governments are increasingly trying to control this influence by restricting the free flow of information and infringing on the rights of users through sophisticated methods and tactics which were previously found only in repressive environments.

Freedom House points out that tactics such "as instigating deliberate connection disruptions or hiring armies of paid commentators to manipulate online discussions" are becoming more common in many countries.

The report analyses issues in internet freedom in 47 countries focusing on accessibility, content limitations and denial of rights.

Estonia has been found to have the most freedom on the internet while the United States comes second. The United Kingdom has been ranked eighth below Germany, Italy and Philippines.

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Internet Freedom Under Threat, says US Watchdog