A report by Freedom House revealed that the number of countries in which Internet surfers were subjected to arrest and violence because of their posts reached a record high between June 2020 and May 2021.
The organization assesses the level of Internet freedom, in different countries, especially given the restrictions imposed on network access or the presence of pro-government "trolls" seeking to manipulate online conversations.
The report indicated that Internet surfers this year were subjected to physical attacks in retaliation for their activities on the Internet in 41 countries, noting that it is the highest since the beginning of the use of the network.
He cited, as an example, the hospitalization of a Bangladeshi student after being beaten on suspicion of "anti-government activities" on social media, and the murder of a Mexican journalist for posting a video on Facebook accusing a gang of murder.
The report's authors added that in 56 of the 70 countries studied, citizens were arrested or convicted for their digital activities, a record rate of 80%.
According to the American NGO, digital rights have declined globally for the 11th consecutive year.
Freedom House criticized the military junta, which seized power in Myanmar in February, for cutting off the internet, blocking social media and forcing tech companies to hand over personal data.
Internet shutdowns were also noted before voting in Uganda in January, and after the controversial presidential elections in Belarus in August 2020. Twenty countries had blocked their citizens' access to the Internet during the year.
Iceland topped the list of countries sponsoring internet freedom, followed by Estonia and Costa Rica, the first country to make internet access a basic right.
In contrast, China is the country with the least respect for digital freedoms and the most repressive of dissenting internet users.