Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Global Internet Freedom Act”.
Global Internet Freedom Act
A BILL
To amend the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to provide for the inclusion of additional information relating to internet freedom in Annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices.
Sec. 2 Sense of Congress
Sec. 3 Inclusion of additional information relating to internet freedom in Annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
The Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 is amended—
in section 116(d) (22 U.S.C. 2151n(d))—
in paragraph (11)(C), by striking “and” at the end;
in paragraph (12)(C)(ii), by striking the period at the end and inserting “; and”; and
by adding at the end the following:
“(12) wherever applicable, the extent to which—
“(A) state or non-state actors create deliberate barriers to access to the internet, including by shutting down connectivity or blocking online content that is protected by international human rights standards; and
“(B) the government engages in undue restrictions on free expression and violations of privacy as they occur online, or legal and extralegal repercussions for online speech or activities that are protected by international human rights standards.”
in section 502B (22 U.S.C. 2304)—
by redesignating the second subsection (i) (as added by section 1207(b)(2) of Public Law 113–4) as subsection (j); and
by adding at the end the following:
“(k) The report required by subsection (b) shall include, wherever applicable a description of the extent to which—
“(1) state or non-state actors create deliberate barriers to access to the internet, including by shutting down connectivity or blocking online content that is protected by international human rights standards; and
“(2) the government engages in undue restrictions on free expression and violations of privacy as they occur online, or legal and extralegal repercussions for online speech or activities that are protected by international human rights standards.”