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Restrictions on the import of cryptography

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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.
  • Citizens can anonymously communicate with each other, preventing any external party from monitoring them.
  • Encrypted transactions may impede external entities to control the conducting of business.
  • Imported cryptography may have backdoors or security holes, intentional or not, which allow foreigners to spy on persons using the imported cryptography; therefore the use of cryptography is restricted to that which the government thinks is safe, or which it develops itself.
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
Morocco 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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