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Restrictions on the import of cryptography

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Dunxd (talk | contribs) at 10:26, 16 March 2009 (Updated status based on source material). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

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 increase levels of privacy within the country beyond what the government wishes.
  • 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 monitoring them.
  • Encrypted transactions may hamper attempts to monitor the activities of business within the country.
  • Terrorists within the country may use encrypted transmissions to communicate with other members both in and out of the country.

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, yellow meaning a license is required to import, and red meaning a total ban. Where "unknown" is reported, readers are encouraged to seek further advice before importing any cryptography, and asked to update this page with their findings. For further details see the report for the appropriate year (indicated in the updated column and linked to from the Status).

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. Countries which were previously listed as Unknown, Red or Yellow, but have since changed to Green *are* listed here.

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 Yellow 2008
Belarus Red 2008
Brunei Darussalam Yellow/Red 2000
Cambodia Yellow 2008
Czech Republic Green/Yellow 2008
China Yellow 2008
Egypt Yellow 2007
Ghana Green 2008
Hong Kong Green/Yellow 2008
Hungary Green/Yellow 2008
India Green/Yellow 2008
Iran Yellow 2008
Iraq Red 2000
Israel Yellow 2008
Khazakstan Yellow 2008
Latvia Yellow 2008
Lithuania Yellow 2008
Malta Yellow 2000
Moldova Yellow 2008
Mongolia Red 2000
Morroco Yellow 2008
Myanmar (Burma) Red 2008
Nepal Unknown 2000
Nicaragua Unknown 2000
North Korea Unknown/Red 2008
Pakistan Yellow 2008
Poland Green/Yellow 2008
Russia Red 2008
Rwanda Unknown 2008
Saudi Arabia Green 2008
Singapore Green 2008
South Africa Green/Yellow 2008
South Korea Yellow 2008
Tatarstan Unknown 2000
Tunisia Yellow/Red 2008
Turkmenistan Red 2000
Ukraine Yellow 2007
Uzbekistan Red 2000
Vietnam Yellow 2008

See also

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