US withdraws from internet freedom bodies it deems "wasteful, ineffective and harmful"

• US withdraws from 66 organizations, including two digital rights groups
• Marco Rubio says the groups "actively seek to constrain American sovereignty"
• The digital rights groups promote internet freedom and build cyber resilience

The United States has withdrawn from 66 international organizations the Trump administration deems "contrary to the interests" of the country.

The list, which includes UN climate treaties and groups working on development, gender equality, and conflict resolution, also targets two organizations working to make the internet a safer and more equitable place: the Freedom Online Coalition (FOC) and the Global Forum on Cyber Expertise (GFCE).

The executive order, signed by President Trump on Wednesday, directs all US agencies to immediately cease participation in and funding for the listed groups.

The Freedom Online Coalition is a group of more than 40 governments that work together to promote a world "where the use of the Internet and digital technologies reinforces human rights, democracy, and the rule of law."

Similarly, the Global Forum on Cyber Expertise brings together over 250 members from governments, the private sector, academia, and civil society around the world.

In an email to TechRadar, it said its mission is to "strengthen cyber resilience of nations, to assist building digital economies, whilst advocating an open, free and secure internet for all."

In a press statement, Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledges that many of the organizations added to the list were established to promote "peace and cooperation."

However, he argues they have since "morphed into a sprawling architecture of global governance, often dominated by progressive ideology and detached from national interests."

Digital rights under fire

This is not the first time the US has targeted organizations that promote digital rights. Last year, the Open Technology Fund (OTF) saw its budget cut during broader cuts at US Agency for Global Media (USAGM).

The OTF provides critical backing for anti-censorship technologies, – including VPNs and Tor – as well as research advocating for global digital rights.

The group filed a legal challenge against the cuts in March 2025. While a court injunction means the OTF is continuing to receive funding, litigation is ongoing.

Other entities caught in the crosshairs include Freedom House, which publishes the annual Freedom on the Net report, and the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), which funds on-the-ground human rights and digital rights advocacy worldwide.

A blow to global coordination

The loss of US support is expected to place significant strain on the Freedom Online Coalition and the GFCE, affecting both their reach and resources.

This, in turn, could severely hamper their capacity to achieve their stated aims: improving internet freedoms and promoting cyber capacity and expertise around the world.

Combined with funding cuts to other international organizations, the digital rights sector now faces unprecedented challenges. It remains unclear whether other democratic nations have the capacity – or the political will – to step in and match the scale of American support.

In a statement, the GFCE said it "respects the decision of the US government."

"The GFCE community remains fully committed to its shared mission of strengthening cyber capacity through practical cooperation, knowledge-sharing, and multistakeholder engagement," the group added.

TechRadar has reached out to the Freedom Online Coalition for comment. We will update this page when they respond.