Internet Censorship Trends in 2023
In 2023, a notable escalation in internet censorship has been observed across various nations, as reported by the British research firm Comparitech. The data reveals a concerning landscape for digital freedom, particularly in certain regions.
Leading the list of countries with the most stringent internet censorship are North Korea and China. These nations have consistently maintained their positions at the top of this ranking, where users face significant restrictions on accessing Western social media platforms, torrent services, and VPNs. The review highlights that all political media within these countries is subject to rigorous censorship and operates under government influence. Other countries noted for their severe censorship practices include Iran, Myanmar, Turkmenistan, the UAE, Belarus, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Syria, Thailand, Turkey, and Uzbekistan.
In total, 27 countries have intensified their internet censorship measures this year, with the majority of new restrictions emerging from Asia. These changes predominantly target political media and VPN access. For instance, Myanmar and Sri Lanka have introduced three new censorship tools: a ban on torrents, limitations on specific VPN services, and extended social media blackouts in response to protests. Afghanistan has also seen a tightening of censorship regarding political and social media, with 231 media outlets shut down and mobile devices scrutinized for critical social media messages.
India’s government has mandated that companies collect and share user data from VPN services, employing a monitoring system capable of intercepting online activities.
In Europe, 18 countries have either banned or shut down torrent websites. An additional 25 European nations have enacted measures against these sites without full-scale blocking, including Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia. While torrent sites are frequently blocked in Spain, the legislation permits torrents for personal use—specifically for downloading content for viewing, not distribution. Belarus and Turkey stand out as the two European nations imposing heavy censorship on political media.
Interestingly, no European country has outright banned social networks; however, four nations—Belarus, Spain, Turkey, and Ukraine—have imposed restrictions. In contrast, Montenegro has improved its social media censorship by allowing greater freedom of personal expression under the current government. Turkey has placed limitations on VPN usage, while Belarus has enacted a complete ban on these services.
Across North America, Canada, Mexico, and the United States have either banned or blocked torrent sites. Cuba remains the only country in the region with strict censorship of political media and limitations on VPN access. Additionally, six other nations on the continent—El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Panama—exhibit some restrictions on their political media, while Cuba and Honduras impose social media limitations.
Each country was evaluated based on six criteria, receiving one point if content such as torrents, news, social networks, VPNs, and messaging apps is restricted but accessible, and two points if it is entirely banned. A higher score indicates greater levels of censorship. In some instances, countries may be classified as having banned certain areas, yet residents might find ways to circumvent these restrictions using VPNs or mirror sites. However, if a country actively enforces these bans through website blocking or legal measures, it is classified as having imposed a ban. Conversely, if a country attempts to restrict or prohibit an area but users can still freely access these services or websites, it is rated as “limited” due to non-enforcement of the rules.
