Internet freedom declines in US for third consecutive year

For the third straight year, American Internet users are less free, according to a study that points to the dangers of social media. That’s in part because of increased US government surveillance, as well as disinformation tied to major political events from both foreign and domestic entities, according to research by the pro-democracy think tank Freedom House. The organization uses the term “Internet freedom” in its annual country-by-country analysis to refer to multiple issues including Internet access, freedom of expression and privacy. In 2019, the United States scored 77 out of 100 possible points. In 2018, the score was one point higher.

Globally, the report found that about 89 percent of all Internet users are subject to advanced social media monitoring systems implemented by their own governments, the equivalent of roughly 3 billion people. That number includes U.S citizens and residents.