Restrictions on the import of cryptography
Historically, a number of countries have attempted to restrict the import of cryptography tools. This article aims to keep a record of current restrictions on the import of cryptographic into countries. This should not be confused with restrictions on exporting cryptographic tools out of countries that produce them, which has a different set of motivations and implications for those accused of breaking regulations.
Rationale
Countries may wish to restrict import of cryptography technologies for a number of reasons:
- Cryptography may entail a right to privacy that is not present within the country.
- Use of cryptography can enable citizens to hide data from the government.
- Criminals can hide information on their operations.
- Dissidents can anonymously communicate with each other, preventing government from apprehending them.
- Encrypted transactions may hamper attempts to monitor the status of business within the country.
- Terrorists within the country can use encrypted transmissions to communicate with other members within and out of the country.
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Status by country
The following states are from the GLIC and EPIC reports on Cryptography and Liberty from 1998 and 2000. These used a Green/Yellow/Red system, plus "unknown" to indicate the level of restriction, with green meaning no restriction. For further details see the report for the appropriate year (indicated in the updated column).
Countries where there are no current restrictions on importing cryptographic tools are not listed for the sake of brevity. There may be restrictions on the use of cryptography in countries not listed here, but regulations were not reported in the reference material.
This list is incomplete; notable omissions are Ethiopia and Eritrea, both of which may have restrictions on the import and use of cryptography.
| Country | Status | Updated |
|---|---|---|
| Angola | Unknown | 2000 |
| Armenia | Green/Yellow | 2000 |
| Bahrain | Unknown | 2000 |
| Belarus | Red | 2007 |
| Brunei Darussalam | Yellow/Red | 2000 |
| Cambodia | Unknown | 2000 |
| Czech Republic | Green/Yellow | 2007 |
| China | Red | 2007 |
| Egypt | Yellow | 2007 |
| Ghana | Green | 2007 |
| Hong Kong | Green/Yellow | 2007 |
| Hungary | Green/Yellow | 2007 |
| India | Green/Yellow | 2007 |
| Iran | Red | 2007 |
| Iraq | Red | 2000 |
| Israel | Yellow | 2007 |
| Khazakstan | Red | 2007 |
| Malta | Yellow | 2000 |
| Moldova | Yellow | 2007 |
| Mongolia | Red | 2000 |
| Myanmar (Burma) | Red | 2007 |
| Nepal | Unknown | 2000 |
| Nicaragua | Unknown | 2000 |
| Pakistan | Yellow | 2007 |
| Poland | Green/Yellow | 2007 |
| Russia | Red | 2007 |
| Rwanda | Unclear | 2007 |
| Saudi Arabia | Green | 2007 |
| South Africa | Green/Yellow | 2007 |
| South Korea | Yellow | 2007 |
| Tatarstan | Unknown | 2000 |
| Tunisia | Red | 2007 |
| Turkmenistan | Red | 2000 |
| Ukraine | Yellow | 2007 |
| Uzbekistan | Red | 2000 |
| Vietnam | Yellow | 2007 |