US funding for global internet freedom ‘effectively gutted’

The Guardian - World NewsEN 5 min read 100% complete by Aisha DownFebruary 19, 2026 at 06:00 AM

AI Summary

long article 5 min

The US government's Internet Freedom program, which funded global efforts to circumvent internet censorship in countries like Iran, China, and Myanmar, has been significantly curtailed. Managed by the State Department and the US Agency for Global Media, the program distributed over $500 million in the past decade to organizations developing technologies to bypass government controls. In 2025, the Trump administration's "Doge" initiative led to staff reductions and program cuts, halting grant issuance. While the Open Technology Fund (OTF) successfully sued to restore some funding, the administration is appealing. The US also withdrew from the Freedom Online Coalition. These cuts jeopardize technologies used to bypass censorship and surveillance, potentially impacting internet freedom globally.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Philippines 30% China ×240% Guardian 40% Iran ×240% Open Technology Fund (OTF) 50% United States Department of State 50% United States Agency for Global Media 60% Donald Trump 70% Internet Freedom ×680% European Union 100%

Keywords

internet freedom 100% us funding 80% digital rights 70% internet controls 60% authoritarian governments 60% open technology fund 50% global internet 50% trump administration 40% digital surveillance 40%