Restrictions on the import of cryptography
This article is about current restrictions on the import of cryptographic tools. For restrictions on exporting cryptographic tools, see Export of cryptography.
Historically, a number of countries have attempted to restrict the import of cryptography tools.
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.
Status by country
The Electronic Privacy Information Center and Global Internet Liberty Campaign reports use a color code to indicate the level of restriction, with the following meanings:
- Green: No restriction
- Yellow: License required for importation
- Red: Total ban
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
External links
- Cryptography and Liberty 1998, GILC Report
- Crypto-Law survey 2008
- Citrix list of restricted countries - has no explanation of sources of the information or distinction over whether or not the restrictions are on export from certain locations (e.g. USA), or local importation restrictions.