Study Ranks U.S. 2nd in Internet Freedom

WASHINGTON — A recent report has ranked the U.S. second in the world in overall freedom on the Internet.

Web watchdog Freedom House released its Freedom on the Net 2011: A Global Assessment of Internet and Digital Media Freedom study that reports on digital media freedom in 37 countries around the world.

General observations of the study concluded that threats to Internet freedom in the form of cyber attacks are growing and have become more diverse.

And politically motivated censorship and government control over Internet infrastructure have also been tagged as prominent threats.

More focused elements of the study include areas such as obstacles to Internet access, limits on content and violations of users’ rights.

The U.S., with 78 percent Internet penetration ranked second overall in web freedom only behind Estonia and access is quite free compared to the rest of the world. Germany, Australia and the U.K. round out the top five respectively.

The report said the U.S. has no web 2.0 applications blocked, has no substantial political censorship and has a free press with no bloggers or online users arrested.

In addition, “statuatory immunity for ISPs continues to play an important role in fostering business models that permit open discourse and the free exchange of information,” the study said.

But the report did point out that online surveillance and privacy issues are being raised as the government tries to bolsters its broad surveillance powers in an effort to combat terrorism, child porn and other criminal activities.

And despite its free flow of content, business and ideas, the U.S. lags behind many major industrialized countries like Japan, South Korea, Sweden and Norway in broadband penetration with only 66 percent of U.S. adults using a high-speed connection, and 5 to 10 percent who live in rural areas don’t have access at all.

But the study said Congress instructed the Federal Communications Commission to create a National Broadband Plan that was initiated in March of last year that ensures broadband availability for all U.S. citizens.  Although the FCC doesn’t regulate the Internet or ISPs, it has claimed jurisdiction on issues such as network neutrality where all network providers must treat all content, websites and platforms equally when managing data traffic.

There is still some uncertainty however in the country’s strength and legal viability of recent network neutrality rules despite the FCC’s 2010 compromise ruling that instructs fixed-line service providers not to block access to or unreasonably discriminate against lawful websites, applications or devices.  But the rules for wireless broadband providers are much more limited, restricting only some types of blocking and avoiding the issue of discrimination.

Despite mediocre land-based broadband usage, Americans love their wireless mobile phones. According to the study, mobile listed a penetration rate of 91 percent – 38 percent of whom accessed the Internet as of mid-2010.

Concerning content restrictions, the study said that although the government doesn’t restrict political and social content, copyright violations, child porn, gambling and financial crime remain  on the government's radar as  "strong impetus for aggressive legislative and executive action."

"Partially free" countries in the study in order included Kenya, Mexico, South Korea, Geoergia, Nigeria, India, Malaysia, Jordan, Turkey, Indonesia, Venezuela, Azerbaijan, Rwanda, Russia, Egypt, Zimbabwe, Kazakhstan and Pakistan.

And 11 countries were deemed “not free” including Thailand, Bahrain, Belarus, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Tunisia, China, Cuba, Burma and Iran.

The complete study can be found here.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Taylor Nicole Launches New Site Through YourPaysitePartner

Creator Taylor Nicole has launched her new official website through YourPaysitePartner (YPP).

Adult Networking Platform SpicyGigs.com Launches

SpicyGigs, a new adult industry networking platform, has officially launched.

Pineapple Support to Host 'Cream Pie Challenge' Fundraiser

Pineapple Support is hosting its Cream Pie Challenge through August to raise funds for mental health services for industry performers.

Kyrgyzstan President Signs Measure Outlawing Internet Porn

President Sadyr Japarov of Kyrgyzstan on Tuesday signed into law legislation outlawing online adult content in the country.

NC Legislature Overrides Veto of Extreme Anti-Adult Industry Bill

The North Carolina state legislature on Tuesday voted to override Gov. Josh Stein’s veto of a bill imposing regulations that industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most creators and content.

Report: VPN Downloads Soar in UK Following Age Verification Deadline

Virtual private network apps, which can be used to circumvent geo-specific age verification requirements, are topping Apple App Store downloads in the U.K. in the wake of new Online Safety Act rules, the BBC is reporting.

Strike 3 Holdings Sues Meta for Pirating Vixen Media Group Content to Train AI

Vixen Media Group owner Strike 3 Holdings filed suit in federal court this week, accusing Facebook parent company Meta of copyright infringement and alleging that Meta has extensively pirated VMG content to train its artificial intelligence models.

Pineapple Support, Streamate to Host 'Navigating Grief and Loss' Support Group

Pineapple Support and Streamate are hosting a free online support group to help performers cope with grief and loss.

Friday is Final AV Compliance Deadline in UK

Friday, July 25 marks U.K. media regulator Ofcom’s deadline for user-to-user services such as tube, cam and fan sites to implement its requisite “highly effective age assurance” measures for preventing minors from viewing adult content.

AEBN Publishes Popular Searches for May, June

AEBN has released the top search terms for the months of May and June from its straight and gay theaters in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Show More