Turkmenistan Ranked Last Among Central Asian Countries in Internet Freedom Index

According to a report by Cloudwards, a portal focused on technology and internet security, Turkmenistan scored just 16 out of 100 points for internet freedom in 2026, placing it among the countries with the lowest levels of online freedom. The authors note that significant internet censorship persists in the country. Compared with its regional neighbors, Turkmenistan’s score is among the lowest. Uzbekistan received 24 points, Kazakhstan 35, and Kyrgyzstan 52, while Tajikistan ranked highest in Central Asia with 56 points. The gap reflects varying levels of access to information and differing degrees of online restrictions across the region. In a global context, the disparity is even more pronounced. North Korea received the lowest possible score of 0. The report describes it as a country where most residents have no access to the global internet, with only a limited group permitted to use a heavily restricted internal network. Countries ranking only slightly higher include Russia, Pakistan, Iran, and China, each scoring 4 points. None is classified as fully free under the report’s criteria. According to the study, platforms such as X, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok are blocked or have at times been restricted in these countries. The report also highlights that in some cases, restrictions are more flexible in nature. For example, in China, access to VPNs and social media is not entirely prohibited but is tightly controlled, with users largely limited to approved platforms. Expressing politically sensitive views can lead to serious consequences. Turkmenistan is grouped alongside India, Myanmar, and Bangladesh, all of which scored between 12 and 20 points. In these countries, the report notes significant censorship and restricted access to information. At the other end of the ranking are Belgium, East Timor, Denmark, Iceland, Costa Rica, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Norway, Slovakia, Suriname, and Finland, each with a score of 92. No country achieved a perfect score of 100. The study assessed internet freedom across several criteria, including access to torrents, adult content, political and social media platforms, and the ability to use VPN services. “Although certain types of internet regulation, when implemented carefully, can help combat hate speech, protect vulnerable groups, and limit the spread of harmful misinformation, in many countries, censorship has been taken to extremes,” the report’s authors state. They add that residents of countries with strict internet controls are effectively deprived of full access to information. This has implications not only for freedom of expression but also for education, technological development, and innovation. In some cases, the consequences can be more severe, including imprisonment for online speech.

Kazakhstan’s Rollout of Aitu Messenger Sparks Fears Over Internet Freedom

Kazakhstan is mandating the use of the national messenger Aitu among officials and state-owned enterprises, raising concerns that this move could signal future restrictions on internet freedom. The rollout of Aitu coincides with Russia's introduction of its own national messaging app, Max, which has been accompanied by efforts to block international platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram. The parallels are fueling fears that Kazakhstan may follow a similar path. Why Is Aitu Being Introduced? By September 15, employees of all government agencies and quasi-public sector organizations in Kazakhstan are required to switch to Aitu. The directive comes from the Digital Headquarters under the leadership of Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov. On August 11, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev instructed the government to strengthen protections around citizens’ personal data. “A significant part of business and official communication, including the transfer of citizens’ personal data, now takes place through international messengers,” he noted. Tokayev cited examples of sensitive data, such as individual identification numbers and medical information, being transmitted via foreign platforms. He linked this to repeated data breaches, stating that Kazakhstan experienced over 40 major leaks in 2025 alone, including a major incident in June that exposed data on millions of citizens. He argued that Aitu is a necessary step to prevent further leaks. Security Concerns Remain Unanswered Originally launched in 2018, Aitu was used on a limited scale during the COVID-19 pandemic and in educational initiatives. Despite its recent promotion, serious questions about its security remain unanswered. On August 29, Deputy Minister of Digital Development Dmitry Mun confirmed that Aitu is owned by Kazakhtelecom JSC, a national monopoly, and BTS. The app's infrastructure is reportedly hosted entirely within Kazakhstan. However, Yevgeny Pitolin, co-chair of the QazTech Alliance's Information Security Committee, criticized the lack of transparency: “There is almost no information about security. In official responses, the administration avoids these questions, claiming it is a matter of national security.” So far, six million people have registered with Aitu, according to the Ministry of Digital Development. Although this represents nearly one-third of Kazakhstan’s population of 20 million, the ministry has not disclosed how frequently the app is used. A Step Toward a Sovereign Internet? A major point of concern among Kazakhstanis is whether Aitu could pave the way for a sovereign internet model similar to those in Russia or China both of which tightly control domestic digital ecosystems. Russia’s Max messenger, modeled after China’s WeChat, integrates payments, government services, banking, and social networking. Though introduced by VK Corporation, the Russian government has embedded itself in its development. In July, the State Duma passed legislation mandating all official communication between citizens and government agencies to occur via Max. It now comes pre-installed on smartphones, and schools and hospitals are transitioning to it. Crucially, Max works only with SIM cards registered in Russia or Belarus, making cross-border communication difficult. Users have reported frequent disruptions in WhatsApp and Telegram access. Critics argue that the Russian state may be moving toward outright bans on foreign messengers. Kazakhstan Denies Similar Plans...