Internet Filtering in Latin America

When we look at Internet filtering globally, Latin America doesn't stand out as an example; across the region, precious few countries engage in government-level filtering. Rather, as blogger David Sasaki points out, freedom of expression is limited in a variety of ways that go beyond traditional heavy-handed censorship, including newly developed cybercrime laws. On the other hand, notes Sasaki, some countries in the region are making progress by leaps and bounds, such as Chile, which recently became the first country in the world to successfully implement a law guaranteeing network neutrality.

Sasaki also looks at access as a barrier to free expression, pointing out the encouraging fact that some nations--such as Costa Rica and Mexico--are making strides toward treating the Internet as a fundamental human right.

The OpenNet Initiative is currently in the process of testing in five countries in Latin America--Colombia, Peru, Mexico, Guatemala, and Venezuela--and plans to release profiles of those countries in the near future.