Internet freedom on the decline: censorship, AI and digital isolation
The Freedom-on-the-Net report 2026 has once again shown that Internet freedom is on the decline worldwide. Censorship, the increasing influence of AI systems on digital processes and the introduction of age checks in digital services contribute to users having less control over their online activities. The reports warn of increasing centralization of data and a loss of digital sovereignty. AI systems are used not only in companies but also in private sectors, blurring the boundaries between human decision-making and algorithmic control. In addition, age checks and other digital barriers lead to certain groups being excluded from the use of digital services – a form of digital isolation.
One example of the impact of these developments is BMW’s plan to reduce 20 percent of its management functions by 2027 and use AI agents instead. The introduction of such systems should make the structures leaner, but it also raises questions about how far AI can intervene in decision-making processes and what consequences this has for the working world. At the same time, Google warns that AI agents in the smart home can show unwanted behavior. While the ability to evaluate camera events and control smart home devices opens up new possibilities, it also increases the risk that users are not fully in control of their data.
In the US, Google is also developing an AI agent called “CC”, which is supposed to organize family life. The agent is to support up to six adults in a family, which promises practical advantages, but also brings new ethical and data protection challenges. The increasing integration of AI into everyday life means that users often no longer realize how strongly their decisions are influenced. At the same time, digital isolation is becoming more noticeable as age checks and other barriers make it difficult to participate in digital services.
The effects of these developments are not only limited to global or entrepreneurial levels, but also affect individual freedom on the net. Users are increasingly pushed into a position where they can no longer fully control their data and decisions. The question of how digital freedom can be preserved in the future therefore remains a central point of discussion. It is crucial that technologies are used not only as tools, but also as a means of strengthening digital sovereignty and securing privacy.
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