In a world increasingly reliant on digital communication, internet freedom has become an essential aspect of human rights and democracy.
The latest report from Freedom House, a US-based nonprofit organization that monitors global internet freedom, places China and its neighbour Myanmar at the top of the list for the worst internet freedom in the world.
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The report, released as part of Freedom House’s annual “Freedom on the Net” index, highlights China’s ongoing efforts to control the flow of information, suppress dissent, and use technology to reinforce its authoritarian regime.
As China’s influence on the global stage continues to grow, so does its sophisticated system of internet censorship and surveillance.
The 2024 Freedom House report sheds light on how the Chinese government has expanded its control over the digital landscape, cementing its place as the worst violator of internet freedom for the ninth consecutive year.
China’s dystopian digital control
China’s model of internet governance is often referred to as the “Great Firewall,” a vast and complex system of censorship, surveillance, and regulation.
The Freedom House report emphasizes that China’s authoritarian grip on the internet has only tightened in recent years, with the government using a combination of technological advancements, legal restrictions, and aggressive tactics to control its population’s access to information.
One of the most significant tools at the Chinese government’s disposal is its content censorship apparatus.
Through a combination of state regulations, artificial intelligence (AI), and human moderators, China is able to filter out any content it deems politically sensitive or destabilizing.
The country’s vast army of censors scrupulously monitors online discussions, blocking access to foreign news outlets, social media platforms, and independent voices that might challenge the state’s official narrative.
Social media giants like WeChat and Weibo—platforms with hundreds of millions of users—are regularly monitored, and users who post content that contradicts the government’s stance risk having their accounts suspended, receiving fines, or facing legal action.
The report notes that the crackdown on freedom of expression has intensified, with a growing number of individuals being detained for sharing politically sensitive content or expressing views critical of the government.
Surveillance on a massive scale
In addition to censorship, surveillance is a key pillar of China’s internet control.
The Chinese government has developed a sprawling system of digital surveillance, which allows it to monitor the online activities of its citizens in real time.
The report highlights how the state uses this surveillance to track political dissidents, human rights activists, and minority groups such as Uyghurs in the Xinjiang region, who face heightened scrutiny and repression.
China’s “Social Credit System” also plays a crucial role in enforcing online behaviour.
This system, which monitors citizens’ social, financial, and political conduct, rewards or penalizes individuals based on their actions, including their activities on the internet.
Those who engage in behavior deemed unfavorable by the state—such as criticizing government policies or interacting with banned foreign websites—can face restrictions in their daily lives, from being denied loans to being barred from purchasing train or plane tickets.
The Freedom House report underscores that China’s use of artificial intelligence and big data has enabled the government to refine its surveillance capabilities.
Technologies like facial recognition, biometric data collection, and real-time monitoring of internet traffic have allowed the Chinese state to build a more intrusive and efficient surveillance apparatus, making it harder for citizens to evade scrutiny or express dissent online.
Legal crackdowns on online dissent
The legal framework surrounding internet use in China is another factor that contributes to its ranking as the worst country for internet freedom.
The report outlines how the Chinese government has enacted a series of laws aimed at controlling the digital space, many of which have been implemented under the pretext of national security or cybersecurity.
For instance, the Cybersecurity Law and Data Security Law give the state broad powers to regulate internet traffic and data collection.
These laws allow the government to demand that tech companies store data domestically, making it easier for authorities to access sensitive information.
Moreover, tech companies are required to assist the government in censoring content and surveilling users, with severe penalties for noncompliance.
Additionally, criminal charges are often used as a weapon to silence online dissent.
Individuals accused of “spreading rumors,” “picking quarrels,” or “endangering state security” through their online posts can face lengthy prison sentences.
The Freedom House report points out that the number of arrests and detentions related to internet activities has surged in recent years, reflecting the government’s determination to stifle any form of online opposition.
Human rights violations and ethnic persecution
China’s internet control system has been particularly oppressive in regions where ethnic minorities are concentrated, such as Tibet and Xinjiang.
The Freedom House report highlights the severe restrictions on internet access in these areas, which are coupled with intense surveillance and security crackdowns.
In Xinjiang, for example, the Chinese government has implemented an unprecedented system of digital surveillance targeting the Uyghur population.
This includes the widespread use of facial recognition cameras, the monitoring of online communication, and the installation of spyware on personal devices.
The human rights abuses in Xinjiang, including the detention of over a million Uyghurs in so-called re-education camps, are tightly controlled by China’s internet censorship apparatus.
Reports from independent news outlets and human rights organizations about the situation in Xinjiang are systematically blocked, and individuals attempting to speak out about the abuses are often silenced through intimidation or imprisonment.
Global implications of China’s internet censorship
China’s influence on internet governance is not confined to its own borders.
The Freedom House report warns that China’s model of internet censorship and surveillance is being exported to other authoritarian regimes around the world.
Beijing has actively promoted its vision of a controlled internet through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), where Chinese companies provide infrastructure and technological support to countries seeking to bolster their own internet controls.
Countries with authoritarian governments, such as Iran, Russia, and Turkey, have increasingly adopted China’s approach to internet governance, using similar techniques to suppress dissent, control the flow of information, and monitor their populations.
The exportation of Chinese surveillance technology, including facial recognition systems and internet filtering tools, has raised concerns that the Chinese model could inspire a broader crackdown on digital freedoms globally.
The international response
In response to these growing concerns, the Freedom House report calls for a coordinated international effort to push back against China’s internet repression.
It emphasizes the importance of global norms that protect freedom of expression, privacy, and access to information online.
The report also urges democracies to offer support to civil society organizations in China and other repressive countries, as well as to promote digital literacy and internet freedom initiatives.
The United States, European Union (EU), and other democratic countries have voiced their criticism of China’s internet practices, but the report suggests that more needs to be done to counter the influence of the Chinese model.
This includes increasing pressure on tech companies to resist cooperating with state censorship efforts and advocating for stronger international protections for online freedoms.
However, the 2024 Freedom House report is a stark reminder of the deteriorating state of internet freedom in China.
By combining extensive censorship, surveillance, and legal repression, the Chinese communist regime has created a digital landscape that is hostile to free expression and dissent.
As China continues to expand its influence both domestically and internationally, the challenge for the global community is to find effective ways to defend the principles of an open and free internet while addressing the growing threat posed by authoritarian control of the digital space.
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