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Snapshot 10:Thu, Oct 17, 2024 7:43:09 PM GMT last edited by Eric

Report: China, Myanmar Place Last in Internet Freedom Rankings

Report: China, Myanmar Place Last in Internet Freedom Rankings

Above: Four young people surf the Internet on their mobile phones in Shandong province, China, on Feb. 16, 2024. Image copyright: CFOTO/Contributor/Future Publishing via Getty Images

The Facts

  • According to the latest Freedom House internet freedom report, global online freedom has worsened for the 14th year in a row, with 27 out of 72 countries analyzed declining in freedom and China and Myanmar coming tied in last place.

  • The report cites China's "great firewall," which blocks any content opposed to the ruling Communist Party. As for Myanmar's drop in the rankings, it cites the military junta's recent ban of virtual private networks (VPNs).

  • The country with the largest single drop in the rankings was Kyrgyzstan, citing the government's ban on the website Kloop, which is funded by US-based groups. Azerbaijan and Iraq were also downgraded, while Zambia saw the greatest score increase.

The Spin

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Metaculus Prediction


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