Top 10 Internet Documentaries

Description: While not strictly a documentary, this film interweaves several stories to explore the consequences of internet addiction and the lack of real human connection in the digital age.

Fact: It features an ensemble cast including Jason Bateman and Hope Davis; the film was inspired by real-life events.

Description: This film investigates how companies use the fine print in their terms of service to track and monetize user data, highlighting the lack of privacy on the internet.

Fact: The documentary features interviews with privacy advocates and tech experts; it was produced by Cullen Hoback, who also directed the film.

Description: This poignant documentary chronicles the life of Aaron Swartz, a programming prodigy and internet activist who played a pivotal role in the development of RSS and Reddit. His battle against restrictive copyright laws and his tragic end make for a compelling narrative on internet freedom.

Fact: Aaron Swartz was just 14 when he helped develop RSS; the film was released under a Creative Commons license, reflecting Swartz's own advocacy for open access.

Description: This Oscar-winning documentary captures Edward Snowden's historic decision to leak classified NSA documents, revealing the extent of global surveillance. It's a must-watch for understanding the internet's role in privacy and security.

Fact: The film was shot in real-time as Snowden met with filmmaker Laura Poitras; it won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in

Description: Werner Herzog's exploration of the internet's impact on humanity, from its inception to its potential future, offering a unique perspective on our digital existence.

Fact: Herzog interviews a wide range of people, from internet pioneers to those affected by internet addiction; the film was screened at the Sundance Film Festival.

Description: This film critiques the power and influence of Google and Facebook, exploring how these companies have crossed ethical lines in their quest for data and control.

Fact: The title refers to a quote by Eric Schmidt about the ethical boundaries tech companies should not cross; it was produced by Peter Schweizer.

Description: This documentary examines the dangerous human impact of social networking, with tech experts sounding the alarm on the manipulation of users' attention and behavior.

Fact: It features former employees of major tech companies; the film uses a mix of interviews and dramatized scenes to illustrate its points.

Description: This documentary dives into the world of Anonymous, a collective of hacktivists known for their cyber-attacks against various institutions. It explores their motivations and the broader implications of their actions on internet freedom.

Fact: The film includes interviews with members of Anonymous; it was released under a Creative Commons license.

Description: This film uncovers the Cambridge Analytica scandal, showing how personal data was harvested from millions of Facebook users to influence elections. It's a chilling look at the dark side of data mining and the internet's influence on democracy.

Fact: The documentary features interviews with key figures involved in the scandal; it premiered at Sundance Film Festival.

Description: This documentary looks at the internet's evolution from a tool for communication to a platform for manipulation, highlighting the need for digital literacy and ethical online behavior.

Fact: It features interviews with internet pioneers and cybersecurity experts; the film was produced by the National Film Board of Canada.