Title: Global Internet Freedom Faces Steeper Decline as AI Repression Intensifies; China Ranked Worst
According to the latest annual Freedom on the Net report published by Freedom House, global internet freedom has witnessed a decline for the thirteenth consecutive year. The report highlights that the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, coupled with traditional methods of repression, has accelerated this concerning trend.
Allie Funk, co-author of the report, emphasized that the deepening crisis in internet freedom comes as no surprise, attributing it to the advancements in AI technology. The study reviewed 70 countries, representing 88% of the world’s internet users, revealing that in a record-breaking 55 countries, individuals faced legal consequences for expressing themselves online, reflecting the global decline in democracy.
China, for the ninth year in a row, emerged as the country with the most oppressive environment for internet freedom. Myanmar, still grappling with the aftermath of a military coup two and a half years ago, closely followed as the second-worst offender. Another significant finding of the report highlighted Iran’s drastic decline in internet freedom compared to the previous year.
The introduction of generative AI chatbots, most notably OpenAI’s ChatGPT, has garnered attention since its launch a year ago. Unfortunately, the rapid progress in generative AI technology has exacerbated the struggles faced by the internet, which has long been under threat. These AI advancements facilitate the scale and efficiency of digital repression, as observed in increased surveillance, censorship, and the spread of disinformation.
Initiatives featuring chatbots were initially seen as promising tools that would allow people to bypass state-controlled information and access uncensored content. However, governments worldwide are becoming increasingly interested in controlling chatbots and manipulating their output to reinforce state narratives. Authorities have started blocking access to chatbots, influencing their responses to align with state propaganda, and compelling companies to utilize AI in removing content from platforms at a pace beyond human capability.
Governments, particularly China, have implemented novel approaches to embedding censorship through AI chatbots. China’s generative AI chatbots, like Baidu’s Ernie Bot and Alibaba’s Tongyi Qianwen, are subjected to strict content controls and mandated to ensure the truth, accuracy, objectivity, and diversity of their training data, as defined by the government. Consequently, on matters involving sensitive topics such as Taiwan, Xinjiang, and Tiananmen Square, these chatbots either repeat state propaganda or remain silent.
However, the manipulation of AI chatbots in China is just one facet of a broader landscape of internet repression in the country. Kian Vesteinsson, a senior research analyst at Freedom House, highlighted how the Chinese people live under an unparalleled system of censorship and surveillance. Journalists and critics face imprisonment, while criticism is consistently erased from the internet.
Responding to these findings, the Chinese Embassy in Washington denied allegations of repressive internet practices, asserting that China’s internet is free, open, and governed in accordance with the law to protect the rights and interests of citizens and companies.
The report also shed light on the fact that digital repression surrounding elections remained a persistent issue in numerous countries over the past year. Incumbent leaders aimed to control the flow of information to influence results in their favor. This trend, observed in countries across the democratic spectrum, raises concerns as major elections are scheduled for 2024 in India, Indonesia, Mexico, and the United States.
Nobel laureate Maria Ressa has issued a warning that by the end of 2024, the fate of democracy will become evident. Tackling the challenges associated with digital repression will necessitate increased regulation, transparency, and accountability from AI companies, particularly in the lead-up to consequential elections.
While the report paints a grim picture of the state of global internet freedom, some positive developments have emerged. One notable achievement over the past year has been significant progress in reducing the use of spyware. In March, U.S. President Joe Biden signed an executive order limiting government agencies from utilizing commercial spyware that could undermine national security or violate human rights.
Moreover, technologists worldwide are joining forces to combat censorship and surveillance, providing hope for the future. Even in heavily repressed environments like China, citizens continue to express resilience and find avenues for dissent, as evidenced by the protests against the country’s strict zero-COVID policy in late 2022, leading to a rare national-level policy reversal.
As the decline in global internet freedom continues, it is crucial to address the challenges posed by AI repression and other forms of digital control. Efforts to safeguard internet freedom, promote transparency, and uphold democratic principles are essential to ensure a more secure and inclusive digital environment for all.
