REPORT LAUNCH: Freedom on the Net 2025

The 2025 edition of Freedom on the Net launches tomorrow! RSVP to our virtual event to learn the state of internet freedom: freedomhouse.org/event/report...

Excellent analysis from @nateschenkkan.bsky.social, who literally helped build the USG's response to transnational repression

We are pleased to announce the relaunch of our China Dissent Monitor!

Though we are excited, the project's funding remains limited—we urgently need more support to sustain our team's efforts to track public protest under the CCP regime.

Here's how you can help: freedomhouse.org/ways-to-give

One of the things I have enjoyed the most about transitioning from academia to alt ac research in the NGO space is seeing the impacts of research in the wild. This week has been especially significant in that regard.

I governi che prendono di mira le vpn stanno minacciando la libertà di internet Le restrizioni alle tecnologie anticensura sono diventate una strategia sempre più comune dei regimi (e non solo): democrazie e settore privato hanno il dovere di invertire la tendenza

I governi che prendono di mira le vpn stanno minacciando la libertà di internet: www.wired.it/article/cens... > @alfunk.bsky.social and Patryk Pawlak on @wired.it

“The problem with thinking
about foreign policy purely as something to “win” is that winning is seldom final, and a
reckless victory can carry its own dangers.” 🔥

Tunnel Vision: Anti-censorship Tools, End-to-End Encryption and the Fight for a Free and Open Internet Governments around the world are increasingly exerting control over the technology that people depend on to access the free and open internet.

We’ve got new research diving deep into how governments are restricting VPNs and end-to-end encryption, including fresh data on blocking. We also showcase stories of resilience, because it's not all bad news! freedomhouse.org/report/speci...

Brave New Techno-Nationalist World The Trump administration is rapidly reshaping the global digital order.

Excellent analysis about the global impact of an America First digital policy foreignpolicy.com/2025/06/04/t...

Shaping the Future of an Open and Free Internet: The Impact of Global Restrictions on Anti-Censorship and Encryption Tools Join us for the launch of a new report, Tunnel Vision: Anti-censorship Tools, End-to-end Encryption, and the Fight for a Free and Open Internet.

In Brussels on June 20? Join us for the launch event of our new report, "Tunnel Vision: Anti-censorship Tools, End-to-end Encryption, and the Fight for a Free and Open Internet," in partnership with the European University Institute. Register here: freedomhouse.org/event/shapin...

Politics, Policy, Political News - POLITICOPOLITICOSearchSearchClose Nobody knows politics like POLITICO.

+1 - my suspicion has been that this refers to Brazil and de Moreas. Politico just did some coverage on it: www.politico.com/newsletters/...

A Starter Guide to Protecting Your Data From Hackers and Corporations Hackers. AI data scrapes. Government surveillance. Yeah, thinking about where to start when it comes to protecting your online privacy can be overwhelming. Here’s a simple guide for you—and anyone who...

"I have nothing to hide! I don't need digital privacy!" Well...

- AI companies are scraping your data
- Scammers are using AI to get better at their schemes
- And yeah, a new era of government surveillance...

A starter guide to protecting you online life:

The USG's reduction in internet freedom funding upends its longstanding, bipartisan strategy.

I spoke with @ramshajahangir.bsky.social about how Freedom on the Net and the broader digital rights community have been impacted by these cuts, and how we are responding to meet this moment.

Data Localization: A Global Threat to Human Rights Online As more and more governments turn to data localization, these laws’ negative impact on digital rights are becoming increasingly clear. The multistakeholder community must come together to devise right...

Great new piece from @freedomhouse.bsky.social's Maddie Masinsin & @thegni.bsky.social's @ramshajahangir.bsky.social on the human rights costs of data localization requirements freedomhouse.org/article/data...

Voice of America Director Sues Trump Officials Over Shutdown The lawsuit by the director and journalists is the latest legal challenge to the administration’s bid to dismantle the government-funded broadcaster.

The type of leadership we need in this moment. Grateful to @abramowitz.bsky.social for filing this www.nytimes.com/2025/03/26/b...

a bald man in a car with the word witness written on his back ALT: a bald man in a car with the word witness written on his back

Doing freedom in the world this year

Terrible news. Freedom in the Net is incredibly valuable. I hope other funders step up with support.

I also received a termination notice for our DOS Freedom on the Net grant. The work has been championed by bipartisan admins & is the foundation for understanding & advocating for internet freedom.

We’re going to figure out a way forward. This work is too important for anyone to shut down.

Last night State Department sent Freedom House notification of termination of a multi-year, multimillion dollar grant for work on transnational repression that I spent most of the last year developing and setting up.

National Endowment for Democracy Sues Top Trump Aides Over Funding Freeze The nonprofit has enjoyed bipartisan support since its founding in the Reagan era, but it finds itself under pressure from the Trump administration.

The National Endowment for Democracy, a nonprofit that has had bipartisan support over decades for its work promoting democracy abroad, is suing the U.S. government and cabinet officials for withholding $239 million in congressional appropriations.

Voice of America Journalists Face Investigations for Comments About Trump The broadcaster placed a longtime journalist on leave amid growing concerns about its editorial independence.

Another alarming indicator of eroding free speech culture as well as editorial independence at VOA.

A longtime reporter is on leave and under investigation, called “treasonous” by a rep for the administration.

www.nytimes.com/2025/02/28/b...

Free World Must Stand with Ukraine, Three Years After Moscow’s Full-Scale Invasion Vladimir Putin and his enablers must be held accountable for violations of international law and national sovereignty.

“History will judge us for how we meet this moment. Failing to stand with Ukraine will not only weaken Ukraine, but also damage the security of the United States and its allies by emboldening and empowering autocracies around the world.” freedomhouse.org/article/free...

The following can be attributed to Dr. Joseph Lorenzo Hall, Distinguished Technologist at the Internet Society: The Internet Society is saddened at the news that Apple has removed access to its cloud end-to-end encryption, known as Advanced Data Protection, for its UK users as a result of pressure by the UK government. This move will make British Apple users less safe, and make their cloud data more susceptible to criminals and other attackers. It is clear that the UK government continued to pressure Apple to weaken the security of its service despite global outcry from cybersecurity experts, civil society, private industry, and foreign politicians. In choosing to remove the feature rather than building a backdoor into its Advanced Data Protection, Apple ensured that at least its global users would continue to benefit from the security and privacy of end-to-end encryption. However, for UK users, their government ensured that their security and privacy is worse than before.

We at the Internet Society are deeply disappointed that Apple has had to stop offering end-to-end encryption in the UK. The following can be attributed to Dr. Joseph Lorenzo Hall, Distinguished Technologist at the Internet Society: 1/

a man in a leather jacket and tie is saying cool cool cool cool cool cool cool ALT: a man in a leather jacket and tie is saying cool cool cool cool cool cool cool

When Levitsky and Way write the op-ed about your country

It's beyond disappointing that the United Kingdom’s government is using its powers under the Investigatory Powers Act to attempt to force Apple to break end-to-end encryption for its cloud service. The consensus among cybersecurity experts is clear: there’s no way to break encryption without making everyone more vulnerable. It is stunning that just days after the UK’s National Audit Office released a report that the "cyber threat to the UK government is severe,” the UK government would launch an attempt to weaken the security and privacy of a service that its citizens, including government employees, rely on. There still is no safe way for Apple to break end-to-end encryption on its cloud services without weakening the privacy and security of all its users. Undermining protections for end-to-end encryption would make UK businesses and individuals less safe online. Opening a backdoor for the UK government also opens a backdoor for cyber criminals intent on accessing our private info"

We are exceedingly disappointed to hear the UK has secretly ordered Apple to let it spy on all users’ encrypted accounts. The following can be attributed to Robin Wilton @komadori.bsky.social , Senior Director of Internet Trust:

With US Commitment to Internet Freedom in Jeopardy, China and Russia Set to Gain | TechPolicy.Press US leadership on internet freedom and the free flow of information in doubt, write Ramsha Jahangir and Justin Hendrix.

US leadership on internet freedom and the free flow of information is in doubt, write Ramsha Jahangir and Justin Hendrix. Experts are concerned the US will cede important ground to China and Russia.

Health Programs Shutter Around the World After Trump Pauses Foreign Aid Lifesaving treatment and prevention programs for tuberculosis, malaria, H.I.V. and other diseases cannot access funds to continue work.

This NYT piece describes the devastation being wrought in the global health sector by the foreign assistance freeze. Let me say a few words about what this looks like in the sector I work in, often called democracy and governance (DRG). 🧵

So many of my friends, neighbors, and family members are immigrants, trans, non-binary, Muslim—and they still will be tomorrow, and the day after. No one gets to take away who we are. We choose.

Xiaohongshu Scrambles to Hire English-Speaking Content Moderators Job listings posted in China this week indicate that Xiaohongshu, also known as RedNote, is struggling to handle an influx of new users joining the platform from TikTok.

I spoke with @wired.com about Americans flocking to RedNote, censorship on the platform, and how this whole scenario demonstrates the ineffectiveness of trying to ban a single app like TikTok in the first place. www.wired.com/story/xiaoho...

US: Rather Than Ban TikTok, the Best Way to Protect App Users is to Strengthen Privacy, Transparency, and Security Protections Online

I'm proud to be quoted in @freedomhouse.bsky.social's statement on the impending TikTok ban. The platform presents serious national security & human rights concerns. But this law doesn't correctly thread the needle b/w addressing these risks & protecting free speech. freedomhouse.org/article/us-r...

I have a lot of questions about FT’s editorial standards