Global Online Freedom Act of 2006

The Global Online Freedom Act of 2006 (H.R. 4780) was designed to prevent United States companies from cooperating with foreign governments that restrict or censor the internet. The bill would have established a new Office of Global Internet Freedom within the State Department to monitor online censorship and required the President to identify specific "Internet-restricting countries" that violate freedom of information.

For citizens and businesses, this legislation would have set strict standards for U.S. technology companies operating abroad, prohibiting them from turning over private user data to repressive governments or filtering search results at the request of those officials. Additionally, the bill sought to use export controls to prevent the sale of surveillance and filtering technology to countries known for restricting digital rights. While the bill was approved by a subcommittee in 2006, it did not become law, though similar versions have been introduced in subsequent years.