My accountGet Surfshark
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.

Internet Shutdown Tracker: global state of online censorship
Digital freedom | Mar 24, 2025

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.
Internet shutdowns in 2024: a global overview
Digital freedom | Jan 28, 2025

Internet shutdowns in 2024: a global overview

At the start of 2024, 53 internet restrictions were already in place. Throughout the year, 63 new restrictions were introduced. By the end of the year, 63 cases remained ongoing.
DQL Index 2024: mapping digital wellbeing in 121 countries
Digital divide | Jan 21, 2025

DQL Index 2024: mapping digital wellbeing in 121 countries

Find out which factors impact a country’s digital quality of life with key facts, findings, and figures.
Content removal attempts from Google this decade
Digital freedom | Jan 14, 2025

Content removal attempts from Google this decade

Since 2020, Google has received nearly 330,000 content removal requests from courts and government agencies. Russia tops the list, accounting for 64% of these requests.
Report on Government Requests for User Data
Digital freedom | Aug 27, 2024

Report on Government Requests for User Data

Report uncovers the increasing account data requests from governments worldwide and how big tech companies comply with them.
How private are your smart home devices?
Digital privacy | May 28, 2024

How private are your smart home devices?

We analyzed 290 smart home apps connecting to ≈400 IoT devices. 1 in 10 share user data with third parties. Check yours with Smart Home Privacy Checker.
Which countries exercise the “right to be forgotten” the most?
Digital privacy | Mar 25, 2024

Which countries exercise the “right to be forgotten” the most?

France accounts for most "right to be forgotten" requests in Europe, which enables people to have their information delisted from search engines.
76 new internet shutdowns recorded in 2023
Digital freedom | Feb 6, 2024

76 new internet shutdowns recorded in 2023

2023 began with 18 cases of ongoing internet restrictions, saw 76 more take place, and ended with 51 still going.
Which apps collect the most data?
Digital privacy | Dec 18, 2023

Which apps collect the most data?

We've analyzed 100 popular App Store apps and here are the results. Or check them yourself with the app privacy checker!
Governments’ content removal requests to Google
Digital freedom | Nov 20, 2023

Governments’ content removal requests to Google

Over the last ten years, governments across 150 countries have submitted 355k content removal requests to Google. What is a content removal request, and which countries submitted the most?
42 internet restrictions recorded in the first half of 2023
Digital freedom | Jul 19, 2023

42 internet restrictions recorded in the first half of 2023

Read the analysis on global internet shutdowns for the first half of 2023. Understand the impact and patterns of digital suppression affecting over 4.24 billion lives.
Broken promises: internet restrictions in 15 countries
Digital freedom | May 29, 2023

Broken promises: internet restrictions in 15 countries

Discover how 15 countries pledged to uphold free internet yet imposed restrictions. Unveiling broken promises and the reality of internet shutdowns.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
Social media shutdowns fall by nearly 50% in H1 2021
Digital freedom | Jul 26, 2021

Social media shutdowns fall by nearly 50% in H1 2021

The first half of 2021 saw ten new social media restrictions, compared to 18 cases recorded in the second half of 2020. Find out which countries were responsible in Surfshark’s half-year recap.
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.
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.

View all digital democracy videos