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Unfreedom Monitor
The Unfreedom Monitor is a project to analyze, document, and report on the growing use of digital communications technology to advance authoritarian governance around the world.
Latest stories
Unfreedom Monitor Report: Hungary
Advox research into digital authoritarianism in Hungary is now in a report. Read an excerpt and download the full pdf.
Fake accounts and presidential elections in Kazakhstan
The ruling leadership in Kazakhstan is aware of the importance of capturing the hearts and minds of internet users, spreading disinformation and using artificial automated accounts to imitate enthusiastic support for the government.
New report uncovers the first documented case of Pegasus spyware used in an international war context
"This investigation is key to understanding the full scope of harms of invasive Pegasus spyware and the entire industry which has been operating with little to no oversight for years."
Unfreedom Monitor Report: Venezuela
Advox research into digital authoritarianism in Venezuela is now in a report. Read an excerpt and download the full pdf.
Kenya and the fallacy of trading individual privacy for national security
When the right to privacy is fractured on a national scale by actions such as surveillance, a myriad of other human rights suffer in a sort of domino effect.
Journalists from Serbian KRIK convicted for criticizing SLAPP suits against newsroom
"The judgement clearly indicates that SLAPP lawsuits have become the main tool of the regime for closing down the few independent media left," stated Stevan Dojčinović, editor-in-chief of the Serbian investigative outlet KRIK.
‘Post at your own risk': An interview with Indian journalist Srishti Jaswal
Global Voices conducted a telephonic interview with Srishti Jaswal, an award-winning journalist from India who became the target of online harassment from right-wing trolls, receiving thousands of threats.
Unfreedom Monitor Report: Philippines
Advox research into digital authoritarianism in the Philippines is now in a report. Read an excerpt and download the full pdf.
Importing illiberal practices: The Kyrgyz state’s attack on media, journalists and bloggers
The Kyrgyz government is importing illiberal practices from Russia, and these changes have impacted public lives and affected the activity of media, journalists and bloggers.
Unfreedom Monitor Report: El Salvador
Advox research into digital authoritarianism in El Salvador is now in a report. Read an excerpt and download the full pdf.
In the Philippines, cyber censorship is a new form of authoritarianism
Qurium’s investigation revealed that the cyber attacks were coming from the Philippine military, using the government infrastructure of the Department of Science and Technology.
Unfreedom Monitor Report: Ecuador
Advox research into digital authoritarianism in Ecuador is now in a report. Read an excerpt and download the full pdf.
Hong Kong purges public libraries of politically sensitive books
The Audit Commission released a report demanding the public library operator step up its efforts in removing books that were “manifestly contrary” to the interests of national security.
Is Telegram profiting from Myanmar's nightmare?
There are problematic channels growing around the Myanmar Telegram market but the company ignores the issues.
Cameroon: Freedom in chains
Article 113 of the Criminal Procedure Code punishes with imprisonment from three months to three years anyone who issues or spreads false news when such news is likely to harm the public authorities or national cohesion.
Unfreedom Monitor Report: Kazakhstan
Advox research into digital authoritarianism in Kazakhstan is now in a report. Read an excerpt and download the full pdf.
Pakistan on edge: Protests continue as Imran Khan's arrest sparks outrage
Former Pakistani PM Imran Khan was arrested from a courthouse on Tuesday afternoon. The news of Khan's arrest has sparked heated demonstrations and raised concerns about political instability in Pakistan.
In Kazakhstan, political dissidents accused of spreading disinformation
These incidents show how the Kazakh government does not hesitate to abuse its own laws, purportedly enacted to safeguard citizens, for its own ends to repress dissent and maintain control of the narrative.
The plight of Kurdish journalists in their struggle for free expression
Kurdish journalists lack a recognized nation state and political recognition. They face opposition from their host countries, which attempt to erase their identity and suppress their freedom of expression.
Unfreedom Monitor Report: Myanmar
Advox research into digital authoritarianism in Myanmar is now in a report. Read an excerpt and download the full pdf.
