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United Kingdom FREEDOM ON THE NET 2016 United Kingdom 2015 2016 Population: 65.1 million Internet Freedom Status Free Free Internet Penetration 2015 (ITU): 92 percent Social Media/ICT Apps Blocked: No Obstacles to Access (0-25) 2 2 Political/Social Content Blocked: No Limits on Content (0-35) 6 5 Bloggers/ICT Users Arrested: No Violations of User Rights (0-40) 16 16 TOTAL* (0-100) 24 23 Press Freedom 2016 Status: Free * 0=most free, 100=least free Key Developments: June 2015 – May 2016 • The Investigatory Powers Bill was introduced in March 2016 to consolidate and reform government surveillance laws, but critics said it lacked adequate privacy safeguards; it was still being debated in parliament in mid-2016 (see Surveillance, Privacy, and Anonymity). • In March 2016, the Crown Prosecution Service in England and Wales issued guidelines for offenses related to social media, particularly online harassment (see Legal Environment). • On February 16, 2016, Police Scotland arrested a man who made controversial Facebook posts about Syrian refugees (see Prosecutions and Detentions for Online Activities). www.freedomonthenet.org FREEDOM UNITED KINGDOM ON THE NET 2016 Editor’s Note On June 23, 2016, outside the coverage period of this report, citizens of the United Kingdom vot- ed to leave the European Union in a closely contested popular referendum. Prime Minister David Cameron resigned as leader of the ruling Conservative Party. He was replaced by Teresa May, who was previously the home secretary, in July. Introduction Internet freedom improved slightly, with few reports of political and social websites blocked by mistake, though transparency about content controls remains lacking. Online harassment, extremist speech, and privacy remained priority issues in the United Kingdom’s internet policy in 2015 and 2016. The UK has consistently been an early adopter of new information and communication technologies (ICTs). Internet access is rapidly approaching universal, with competitive prices and generally fast speeds. Mobile devices, especially smartphones, have become the most prevalent means of internet access. Strategies to combat extremist as well as offensive speech online periodically threaten to curb legit- imate expression. At least two people were briefly detained following derogatory—though nonvi- olent—social media posts during the coverage period of this report. In February 2016, police were called to a school in Southampton by staff who reported a 15-year-old pupil for accessing the web- site of the populist right-wing United Kingdom Independence Party, concerned about the site’s views on immigration and other matters. The past year saw fierce debate regarding surveillance powers. In June 2015, the Investigato- ry Powers Tribunal identified irregularities in the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) intelligence agency’s handling of communications data intercepted from two civil society groups, Amnesty International and the South Africa-based Legal Resources Center. The tribunal ruled that those irregularities violated human rights standards, though the interception itself was lawful. In February 2016, in a separate case, the tribunal ruled that GCHQ computer network ex- ploitation or hacking activities were also lawful. However, an independent report commissioned by the government and released in June 2015 called the existing legislative framework on surveillance “undemocratic, unnecessary and—in the long run—intolerable.” On March 1, 2016, the government introduced the Investigatory Powers Bill to consolidate and reform surveillance laws. The polarizing piece of legislation was criticized for autho- rizing overreaching surveillance and undermining privacy. In mid-2016, it was still being debated in parliament. Obstacles to Access Access to the internet is considered to be a key element determining societal and democratic participa- www.freedomonthenet.org FREEDOM UNITED KINGDOM ON THE NET 2016 tion in the UK.1 ICT infrastructure is generally strong, allowing high levels of access. The overwhelming majority of UK citizens use the internet frequently on a widening variety of devices, particularly smart- phones.2 In recent years, substantial investments led by the government have led to better levels of ser- vice for many citizens and businesses. For financial and literacy reasons, those over the age of 75 and people in the lowest socioeconomic groups still lack access.3 Policies and regulation in the country tend to favor access, although continuing revelations regarding extensive government surveillance practices may impact how citizens choose to access the internet. Availability and Ease of Access Internet penetration was reported at 87 percent, with the share of homes with fixed and mobile broadband at 80 percent.4 At the beginning of 2016, there were 24.4 million fixed broadband con- nections, representing a 4 percent increase over the previous year.5 The average broadband speed in 2014 was 22.8 Megabits per second (Mbps) according to an August 2015 report,6 continuing a trend of rising speeds and growing satisfaction among consumers served by faster fiber-optic based ser- vices. Nearly 100 percent of all households are within range of ADSL connections. While broadband access is effectively ubiquitous, steady progress continues towards the expansion of “superfast” broadband that has an advertised speed of at least 30 Mbps.7 In 2015, 30 percent of all broadband connections were superfast, compared to 0.2 percent in 2009.8 Funding for a gov- ernment superfast broadband program, which is aimed at improving broadband speed and access, expanded to GBP 1.7 billion (US$ 2.62 billion). 9 In early 2015, an additional 2,411,395 premises had access to superfast broadband through the scheme, meaning a total of 80 percent of all UK premises had superfast broadband access availability, in line with a target of 95 percent by 2017.10 A voucher scheme covering up to GBP 3,000 (US$ 4,440) of installation costs for small and medium enterprises has been in place in 50 British cities since April 2015.11 Mobile telephone penetration is extensive, with a reported penetration rate of 125 percent at the 1 Ofcom, Internet Citizens 2014 (London: Ofcom), November 27, 2014, http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/research/ telecoms-research/Internet_Citizens_Report_14.pdf, p 1. 2 Ofcom, The Communications Market Report, August 6, 2015, http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/research/cmr/cmr15/ CMR_UK_2015.pdf, p.1 3 Ofcom, Internet Citizens 2014, p.11. 4 Ofcom, Adults’ media usage and attitudes, April 2016, http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/research/media-literacy/ adults-literacy-2016/2016-Adults-media-use-and-attitudes.pdf. The International Telecommunication Union reported penetration at 92 percent of the population aged 16 to 74 in 2015. See, International Telecommunication Union, “Percentage of Individuals Using the Internet, 2000-2015,” http://bit.ly/1cblxxY. 5 Ofcom, “Telecommunications market data tables Q3 2015,” January 26, 2016, http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/ research/cmr/telecoms/Q3-2015.pdf p.2. 6 Ofcom, The Communications Market Report 2015, p.15. Akamai reported average connection speeds of 14.9 Mbps in 2016. See, “‘First Quarter, 2016 State Of The Internet Report,” June 29, 2016, https://www.akamai.com/us/en/about/news/press/2016- press/akamai-first-quarter-2016-state-of-the-internet-connectivity-report.jsp. 7 For local area progress in broadband provision, see DCMS, Table of local broadband projects, October 2014, https://docs. google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Ah3sVRjT82kKdEltX0lJNjNVWWhNbjBnNGwxeHhqMHc#gid=0. 8 Ofcom, The Communications Market Report 2015, p3. 9 Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), 2010 to 2015 government policy: broadband investment, updated May 8, 2015, https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/2010-to-2015-government-policy-broadband-investment, Appendix 2. 10 DCMS, 2.5 million more UK homes and businesses can now go superfast, https://www.gov.uk/government/news/25-million- more-uk-homes-and-businesses-can-now-go-superfast . 11 DCMS, 2.5 million more UK homes and businesses can now go superfast note 12. www.freedomonthenet.org FREEDOM UNITED KINGDOM ON THE NET 2016 end of 2015.12 The introduction of faster fourth-generation (4G) services in 2012 encouraged vid- eo streaming and access to other data services. All national mobile network operators offered 4G mobile communication technology, with outdoor 4G coverage from at least one network accessible in over 89 percent of UK premises.13 In 2016, 66 percent of adults reported a smartphone was their primary device for accessing the internet,14 and reported valuing their smartphone over any other communication or media device;15 indeed the smartphone was identified as the primary device for access in five out of nine online activities.16 The UK provides a competitive market for internet access, and prices for communications services compare favorably with those in other countries, with the scope of services increasing while prices continue to fall and remain competitive.17 The average British household spent GBP 81.30 (US$ 125) per month on telecommunication services in 2014, a decrease of 0.1 percent from 2013.18 The dif- ference between superfast and standard services in 2014 was between GBP 5 (US$ 7.66) and GBP 10 (US$ 15.31) per month.19 While 4G services were initially more expensive than non-4G services, the difference is shrinking, and in some cases disappearing. The price basket of mobile services fell by 0.4 percent in 2014.20
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