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Research

Digital democracy

Digital democracy sheds light on global internet equality, from censorship and online privacy to fair and open access to online opportunities. Our research projects monitor shifting trends in a bid to raise awareness. Can democracy keep up with technology? Explore more.

The mobile gaming apps hungry for your data
Digital privacy | May 22, 2023

The mobile gaming apps hungry for your data

Find out which are the worst gaming apps for privacy with our guide to evaluating mobile games' data collection practices. Protect your privacy with Surfshark VPN.
Internet Shutdown Tracker: global state of online censorship
Digital freedom | May 8, 2023

Internet Shutdown Tracker: global state of online censorship

A global tracker showing the regions where the internet and social media were restricted or censored since 2015.
Report on Government Requests for User Data
Digital freedom | Mar 15, 2023

Report on Government Requests for User Data

Report on Government Requests for User Data uncovers the increasing account data requests from governments around the world and how big tech companies comply with them.
How many people use their “right to be forgotten”?
Digital privacy | Feb 28, 2023

How many people use their “right to be forgotten”?

We analyzed 32 European countries that submitted “right to be forgotten” requests to Google and Bing between 2015 and 2021.
Internet Value Index: mapping the global digital divide
Digital divide | Jan 20, 2023

Internet Value Index: mapping the global digital divide

Check out Surfshark’s Internet Value Index and find out which countries are overpaying for the internet in 2022.
Internet Censorship Tracker: a 2022 recap
Digital freedom | Jan 17, 2023

Internet Censorship Tracker: a 2022 recap

Find out which countries and regions restricted the internet in 2022.
Internet Value Index: mapping internet value in the US
Digital divide | Nov 14, 2022

Internet Value Index: mapping internet value in the US

Which states are getting the best and the worst internet value across the country? Find out more with key facts and findings.
Global internet divide: mapping digital inequality in 2022
Digital divide | Oct 10, 2022

Global internet divide: mapping digital inequality in 2022

Using Surfshark’s Digital Quality of Life index, we track, map, and report on 2022’s state of global inequality.
DQL Index 2022: mapping digital wellbeing in 117 countries
Digital divide | Sep 12, 2022

DQL Index 2022: mapping digital wellbeing in 117 countries

The fourth annual research study unpacking the five key factors impacting digital quality of life across different regions and populations.
Digital Quality of Life: key stats to map the growing divide
Digital divide | Sep 12, 2022

Digital Quality of Life: key stats to map the growing divide

These key insights from DQL 2022 map global internet iquality, affordability, electronic security, government and infrastructure.
How to be invisible online: tips for flying under the radar
Digital privacy | Aug 23, 2022

How to be invisible online: tips for flying under the radar

Activate your Invisibility cloak while surfing online and keep your information safeguarded with key tips and strategies.
Internet restrictions: countries at war with the internet
Digital freedom | Jul 1, 2022

Internet restrictions: countries at war with the internet

Find out which countries are censoring, withholding, or outrightly restricting the internet and the flow of free information.
Social media bans: which countries are the top culprits?
Digital freedom | Jul 1, 2022

Social media bans: which countries are the top culprits?

Find out which countries and regions have censored social media and messaging apps— and for what reasons.
Data flows: how private are popular period tracker apps?
Digital privacy | May 25, 2022

Data flows: how private are popular period tracker apps?

A comparison of 20 popular period tracker apps and their data collection practices.
How prepared former Soviet countries are for cyberthreats?
Digital divide | May 17, 2022

How prepared former Soviet countries are for cyberthreats?

An in-depth look at the cybersecurity indexes of former Soviet countries to see how prepared they are for potential cyberthreats.
How do people see data privacy in 2022
Digital privacy | Feb 28, 2022

How do people see data privacy in 2022

What are users’ attitudes toward privacy in 2022? Check out the key online privacy awareness findings and protect yourself from data breaches.
Tinder, Bumble, or Grindr: which dating apps want your data?
Digital privacy | Feb 7, 2022

Tinder, Bumble, or Grindr: which dating apps want your data?

A comparison of personal data collection for 50 global dating apps.
Data-hungry taxis. Which ride-hailing apps want your data?
Digital privacy | Jan 24, 2022

Data-hungry taxis. Which ride-hailing apps want your data?

A comparison of personal data collection for 30 different mobility apps.
Web regulation: countries asking Google to remove content
Digital freedom | Dec 10, 2021

Web regulation: countries asking Google to remove content

Find out which countries ask Google to remove the most online content.
Social media censorship 2021: global restrictions and bans
Digital freedom | Dec 6, 2021

Social media censorship 2021: global restrictions and bans

This 2021 recap sheds light on the ups & downs of global social media censorship.
The worst internet in the world is the least affordable
Digital divide | Oct 28, 2021

The worst internet in the world is the least affordable

Discover which regions have the slowest and/or least affordable internet in the world.
Big-tech infiltration: who is tracking your surfing habits?
Digital privacy | Oct 6, 2021

Big-tech infiltration: who is tracking your surfing habits?

Learn how big tech monitors your online browsing habits.
DQL Index 2021: mapping digital wellbeing in 110 countries
Digital divide | Sep 5, 2021

DQL Index 2021: mapping digital wellbeing in 110 countries

The third annual research study unpacking the five key factors impacting digital quality of life across different regions and populations.
Employee surveillance: is your boss spying on you?
Digital privacy | May 26, 2021

Employee surveillance: is your boss spying on you?

Working from home has led to a rise in online monitoring. Protect your privacy and learn more about “Bossware.”
Data-hungry apps: which collect the most private information
Digital privacy | May 12, 2021

Data-hungry apps: which collect the most private information

An analysis of 200+ apps to find out which collect the most (and the least) of your data in different categories.
Pop-up revolution. Which countries hate online ads the most?
Digital privacy | Mar 1, 2021

Pop-up revolution. Which countries hate online ads the most?

Learn which regions hate online ads the most with this intuitive ad blocking heatmap.
Surveillance cities: global CCTV camera density
Digital freedom | Dec 8, 2020

Surveillance cities: global CCTV camera density

A comparison of global cities with the highest and lowest government surveillance.
Drone privacy laws: the legalities per country
Digital privacy | Nov 17, 2020

Drone privacy laws: the legalities per country

Learn how drones are regulated (or outlawed) in 210 different countries with this user-friendly heatmap.
DQL Index 2020: mapping digital wellbeing in 85 countries
Digital divide | Jul 26, 2020

DQL Index 2020: mapping digital wellbeing in 85 countries

Find out which factors impact a country’s digital wellbeing with key facts, findings, and figures.
Face freeze: the state of facial recognition surveillance
Digital freedom | Apr 30, 2020

Face freeze: the state of facial recognition surveillance

Find out which countries are using facial recognition technology for population surveillance in 2022.

Digital democracy videos

Life online should be governed by digital democracy. But where and how is the internet censored or surveilled, in one form or another, to maintain power over the people? Our research sets out to map the state of modern-day digital democracy with facts, findings, and trends. Explore more.

The danger of ignoring internet shutdowns

Mar 3, 2023

The danger of ignoring internet shutdowns

The REAL reason dating apps are keeping you single

Feb 24, 2023

The REAL reason dating apps are keeping you single

Who’s to blame for TWITTER’S MESS?

Jan 27, 2023

Who’s to blame for TWITTER’S MESS?

The thing you missed in the Twitter drama

Jan 13, 2023

The thing you missed in the Twitter drama

Former Facebook Employee Uncovers Dark Secrets

Dec 16, 2022

Former Facebook Employee Uncovers Dark Secrets

Why is the internet getting less affordable?

Sep 14, 2022

Why is the internet getting less affordable?

View all digital democracy videos