Study: Russia sets back global progress on Internet freedom

A pedestrian uses a mobile phone while walking near the Kremlin in central Moscow, Russia. Freedom House found that Internet freedom at the global level fell for the 12th straight year, led by Russia as well as by worsening conditions in Myanmar, Sudan and Libya. — Reuters

WASHINGTON: A Russian crackdown has driven a global decline in Internet freedom although a number of smaller countries are making headway, Freedom House said in a study Oct 18.

The US democratic advocacy and research group found that Internet freedom at the global level fell for the 12th straight year, led by Russia as well as by worsening conditions in Myanmar, Sudan and Libya.