Internet freedom around the world is dramatically declining, as authoritarian governments crack down on online access. They’re blocking social media platforms and, in some cases, shutting down internet service completely. These shutdowns are happening in the days surrounding an election, stifling voters’ ability to connect and access information. States are punishing social media platforms for moderating politically-driven misinformation — and the COVID-19 pandemic is giving them more opportunities to censor critical speech.
How should the global community respond to these threats to online freedom of expression? And as policymakers in democratic nations grapple with their own questions of regulating big tech, how can they advance a vision grounded in democracy and human rights?