Trump’s Reshuffling of US Foreign Aid Endangers Internet Freedom
The open internet and digital rights are being challenged more fundamentally than ever before. This time, however, the challenges are not coming from China or Russia but from the United States, which for years was considered a key player in promoting internet freedom. Donald Trump’s unprecedented suspension of US foreign aid to civil society threatens to strengthen state surveillance and censorship worldwide. This could affect Germany, too, if China and Russia expand their spheres of influence using digital technologies. The German government and its allies must not leave the digital future to authoritarian regimes.