Philippines among world's best in internet freedom

Study blames PLDT's 'de facto monopoly' for low internet penetration, high broadband costs

MANILA - Thanks to netizens who opposed the controversial anti-cybercrime law, internet in the Philippines remains one of the freest in the world, according to a new study released Friday by US-based group Freedom House.

The Philippines ranks 10th worldwide in the "Freedom on the Net 2013" report, which identifies key trends in internet freedom and digital media in 60 countries.

Iceland topped the list, followed by Estonia, Germany, the United States, Australia, France, Japan, Hungary, Italy, and United Kingdom.

Iran placed at the bottom.

The study evaluates countries based on obstacles to access, limits on content, and violations of user rights.

Freedom House, the non-governmental organization behind the study, said the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 would have seriously affected internet freedom in the Philippines.

The controversial law, which has been suspended by the Supreme Court, would allow authorities to block online content without a warrant, facilitate government surveillance, and punish online libel with up to 12 years imprisonment.

"While the new anti-cybercrime act remains on hold, there is no systematic government censorship of online content, and internet users in the Philippines enjoy unrestricted access to both domestic and international sources of information," the study said.

It added that The OpenNet Initiative found no evidence of internet censorship by government, although monitoring and filtering activities in the workplace have been reported in the country.

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Philippines among world's best in internet freedom