Bans and restrictions on internet freedom during 2017 were not limited to such countries as North Korea, China or Iran. A recent study showed that the United States and other countries around the world are suffering attacks on that freedom. Freedom House studied 65 countries and found that there was a decline in freedom in half the countries in access and content. (Wired, December 30, 2017, by Issie Lapowsky)
Thirty some countries even distributed fake news online to discourage dissent. In at least 18 countries including the U.S., online manipulation and lies played a role in elections. (E Hacking News, December 4, 2017)
European countries are leading the way by regulated online speech to protect vulnerable groups and individual privacy. (Foreign Affairs, December 18, 2017, by David Kaye)