The 2022 Teleco Giants Scorecard

The inaugural Telco Giants Scorecard reveals that telecommunications companies, despite being gatekeepers of the internet for most of the world, are less transparent overall and more susceptible to government demands than their Big Tech peers. It’s time to renew our scrutiny of these companies and hold them accountable for respecting our rights online. None of the 12 telecommunications companies evaluated earned a passing grade. Though Big Tech companies have stolen the spotlight in recent discussions of the ills of our information systems, the findings show that, year after year, telcos perpetuate the same digital rights harms while facing far less scrutiny. And yet, despite being less visible than their Big Tech counterparts, telcos wield far more power. This is especially true where telcos are government-owned, in part or whole, and where they operate in authoritarian or authoritarian-trending regimes. To realize a global internet that is more accessible, inclusive, and supportive of human rights, these companies must also be held accountable.