Mozilla Publishes 2019 Report on the Freedom, Accessibility, and Humanity of the Internet

On April 23, 2019, the nonprofit organization Mozilla, known for its work on projects promoting free access, privacy, and security on the Internet—including the Firefox web browser—released its third annual report on the “health” of the global Internet. The 2019 report examines the Internet’s impact on society and our daily lives.

Key Trends: Privacy, Free Speech, and Access to Information

The Mozilla report explores current trends affecting personal data protection, freedom of speech, and access to information. The findings paint a complex picture. Notably, humanity crossed a significant milestone at the start of 2019: 50% of the world’s population is now online. While the Internet brings many benefits, people are increasingly concerned about its influence on children, work, and democracy.

When Mozilla published last year’s report, the world was watching the Facebook and Cambridge Analytica scandal unfold, exposing the misuse of social media data for political campaigns. This led to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg testifying before the U.S. Congress and a major overhaul of the company’s privacy policies. The incident raised public awareness about the widespread and unacceptable exchange of private data, the rapid growth and centralization of the tech industry, and the abuse of online advertising and social networks.

As a result, more people are asking: What should we do about this? How can we steer the digital world in the right direction?

Government and Corporate Responses

Mozilla notes that governments across Europe are implementing measures to control online security and prevent disinformation ahead of EU elections. Major tech companies are experimenting with increased transparency in advertising algorithms and forming ethics boards—though critics argue these efforts are insufficient. Meanwhile, CEOs, politicians, and activists are debating the future direction of the Internet. Despite new regulations like the EU’s GDPR, many problems remain unresolved, and society is entering a new era of ongoing debate about what a healthy digital society should look like.

Three Major Issues Highlighted by Mozilla

1. Artificial Intelligence (AI): The report discusses the need to optimize AI use and limit its application. Key questions include: Who develops these algorithms? What data do they use? Who is at risk of discrimination? AI is now used in critical areas like credit decisions and health insurance in the U.S., as well as in law enforcement, raising concerns about potential wrongful accusations.
2. Rethinking the Internet’s Advertising Economy: Mozilla argues that the current model, where people and their data are treated as valuable commodities and pervasive surveillance is standard for marketing, is no longer acceptable.
3. The Influence of Large Corporations: The report examines how big companies affect our lives and how local governments in major cities can integrate technology to serve the public good rather than commercial interests. For example, New York City pressured Amazon to add screen-reading software for visually impaired users to its Kindle e-reader. Conversely, the article warns about the increasing use of surveillance technologies in urban infrastructure.

Other Topics Covered in the Report

• The threat of deepfakes—AI-generated videos that can swap faces, posing risks for reputation, disinformation, and fraud.
• The potential of user-driven social media platforms.
• Initiatives for pornography literacy.
• Investments in undersea cable infrastructure.
• The dangers of sharing DNA analysis results publicly.
• And much more.

Positive Developments

• Growing Calls for Data Protection: Public awareness of privacy and digital security has surged, especially after the Cambridge Analytica scandal. This awareness is translating into new laws and projects. European regulators, with help from civil society and individual Internet users, are enforcing GDPR. For example, Google was fined €50 million in France for GDPR violations, and tens of thousands of complaints have been filed worldwide.
• More Responsible Use of AI: As the shortcomings of current AI approaches become clearer, experts and activists are seeking new solutions. Initiatives like the Safe Face Pledge aim to develop facial analysis technology for the public good. Influential organizations such as the U.S. Federal Trade Commission and the EU’s Global Tech Group are also involved.
• Scrutiny of Corporate Power: More people are recognizing that eight companies control much of the Internet. U.S. and European cities are pushing back, ensuring municipal technologies prioritize human rights over profit. The “Cities for Digital Rights” coalition now includes over two dozen members. Meanwhile, employees at Google, Amazon, and Microsoft are demanding their employers avoid using or selling technology for questionable purposes. Cooperative platforms and shared ownership are being considered as alternatives to corporate monopolies.

Areas of Concern

• Internet Censorship: Governments worldwide continue to restrict Internet access through direct censorship and new tactics like imposing extra taxes on social media use. In 2018, there were 188 documented Internet shutdowns globally. A new form of censorship—slowing down Internet speeds—has also emerged, making it difficult to access social media and helping repressive regimes avoid accountability.
• Abuse of Biometric Data: While biometric identifiers can make life easier, in practice, they often benefit governments and private entities more than individuals. In India, over 1 billion citizens were put at risk due to vulnerabilities in the Aadhaar biometric ID system. In Kenya, human rights groups have sued the government over a new national ID system that will collect and store DNA, GPS home locations, and more.
• AI as a Tool for Discrimination: Tech giants in the U.S. and China are rapidly integrating AI into various sectors without fully considering potential harm. As a result, facial recognition systems used in law enforcement, banking, hiring, and advertising often discriminate against women and people of color due to flawed data and assumptions. Some companies have created “ethics boards” to address concerns, but critics say these have little real impact.

The Future of the Digital World

After reviewing these trends and other data in the report, Mozilla concludes that the Internet has the potential to both uplift and endanger us. In recent years, this has become clear to many. It’s also evident that we must take action if we want the digital world of the future to be positive for humanity.

The future of the digital world challenges all of us: Will the Internet become a tool for freedom and democracy, or will it continue down the path of total control, censorship, and restrictions?

The good news is that more people are dedicating their lives to building a healthier and more humane Internet. Mozilla’s report highlights volunteers in Ethiopia, digital rights lawyers in Poland, human rights researchers from Iran and China, and many others.

According to Mozilla, the main goal of the report is to reflect the current state of the global Internet and serve as a resource for change. It aims to inspire developers and designers to create new open products, provide policymakers with context and ideas for legislation, and, above all, give citizens and activists a picture of how others are working to improve the Internet—hoping that even more people worldwide will join the movement for positive change.