Social media 's use as a tool for authoritarianism is on the rise , according to the Freedom on the Net 2019 report from Freedom House . Of the 65 countries included in the study , political leaders from 38 nations have actively attempted to suppress online opinions , more than in any previous year . Officials increasingly monitored social media platforms and conducted warrantless searches of travelers’ electronic devices to glean information about constitutionally protected activities such as peaceful protests and critical reporting. This could be through the use of propaganda or disinformation on social media during election periods , or through mass surveillance of citizens by deploying AI technology on online profiles . Moreover , 47 countries have taken part in arrests for political , social or religious speech , marking a record high .
Social media 's use as a tool for authoritarianism is on the rise , according to the Freedom on the Net 2019 report from Freedom House . Of the 65 countries included in the study , political leaders from 38 nations have actively attempted to suppress online opinions , more than in any previous year . This could be through the use of propaganda or disinformation on social media during election periods , or through mass surveillance of citizens by deploying AI technology on online profiles . Moreover , 47 countries have taken part in arrests for political , social or religious speech , marking a record high .