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Digital Rights
ActiveDigital Rights
Freedom of expression online, internet shutdowns, surveillance law, and digital civil liberties.
Last updated: 1 June 2026
89instruments
8cases
48jurisdictions
Instruments
ly-const-expressionConstitutional Declaration of 2011 (Libya), Article 14 (Freedom of expression, communication, press and publishing)
Libyatd-const-privacyConstitution of the Republic of Chad, 2023 (Fifth Republic), Privacy of correspondence and communications; freedom of expression and communication
Chadcg-const-privacyConstitution of the Republic of the Congo, 2015, Articles 25 and 26 (Freedom of expression; secrecy of correspondence and telecommunications)
Congo (Republic)cd-const-privacyConstitution of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2006 (rev. 2011), Article 31 (Privacy and secrecy of correspondence, telecommunications and communications)
Congo (DRC)ma-const-privacyConstitution of the Kingdom of Morocco, 2011, Articles 24, 25 and 27 (Privacy of communications, freedom of expression and right to information)
Moroccocm-const-privacyConstitution of the Republic of Cameroon (Law No. 96-06 of 18 January 1996), Preamble (Privacy of correspondence; freedom of communication, expression and the press)
Cameroonst-const-privacyConstitution of the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe (1975, rev. 2003), Articles 24 and 25 (Private life; inviolability of correspondence and telecommunications)
São Tomé and Príncipegq-const-privacyFundamental Law of Equatorial Guinea (1991, rev. 2012), Inviolability of correspondence and freedom of expression
Equatorial Guineadz-const-privacyConstitution of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, 2020, Article 47 (Privacy of correspondence and communications, and protection of personal data)
Algeriatn-const-networkaccessConstitution of the Republic of Tunisia, 2022, Article 38 (Right to information and access to communication networks) and Article 37 (Freedom of expression)
Tunisiasd-const-internetConstitutional Charter for the Transitional Period, 2019 (Sudan), Article 57 (Freedom of expression and the right to access the internet)
Sudanga-const-privacyConstitution of the Gabonese Republic, 2024, Articles 18 and 19 (Right to private life; inviolability of electronic and telematic communications)
Gabonma-digitalrights-presscode-2016Loi n° 88-13 relative à la presse et à l'édition (Law No. 88-13 on the Press and Publishing) (Morocco)
Moroccozm-digitalrights-ictact-2009Information and Communication Technologies Act, 2009 (Act No. 15 of 2009) (Zambia)
Zambiazw-digitalrights-ica-2007Interception of Communications Act [Chapter 11:20] (Act No. 6 of 2007) (Zimbabwe)
Zimbabwemz-digitalrights-decreto40-2018Decreto n.º 40/2018, Regime de Taxas dos Serviços de Comunicação Social (Media Fees Decree) (Mozambique)
Mozambiquena-digitalrights-communications-2009Communications Act, 2009 (Act No. 8 of 2009) (Namibia)
Namibiasz-digitalrights-communicationscommission-2013Swaziland Communications Commission Act, 2013 (Eswatini)
Eswatinils-digitalrights-internetbroadcasting-2020Lesotho Communications Authority (Internet Broadcasting) Rules, 2020 (Proposed)
Lesothobw-digitalrights-controlledinvestigations-2022Criminal Procedure and Evidence (Controlled Investigations) Act, 2022 (Act No. 14 of 2022) (Botswana)
Botswanaao-digitalrights-imprensa-2017Lei n.º 1/17, de 23 de Janeiro, Lei de Imprensa (Press Law) (Angola)
Angoladj-const-privacyConstitution of the Republic of Djibouti, 1992 (as amended), Inviolability of the secrecy of correspondence and communications, and freedom of expression
Djiboutiss-const-privacyTransitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan, 2011, Articles 22 & 24 (Right to privacy and freedom of expression and media)
South Sudankm-const-privacyConstitution of the Union of the Comoros, 2018, Article 27 (Confidentiality of correspondence, telecommunications and computer data) and freedom of expression
Comorosbi-const-privacyConstitution of the Republic of Burundi, 2018, Articles 31 & 43 (Freedom of expression and right to privacy of correspondence and communications)
Burundisc-const-privacyConstitution of the Republic of Seychelles, 1993, Articles 20, 22 & 28 (Right to privacy, freedom of expression and access to official information)
Seychellesso-const-privacyProvisional Constitution of the Federal Republic of Somalia, 2012, Article 19 (Freedom of expression including electronic media) and the right to privacy
Somaliasc-ati-2018Access to Information Act, 2018 (Act No. 4 of 2018) (Seychelles)
Seychelleset-hatespeech-2020Hate Speech and Disinformation Prevention and Suppression Proclamation No. 1185/2020 (Ethiopia)
Ethiopiaet-comms-2019Communications Service Proclamation No. 1148/2019, telecommunications regulation and the legal context of internet shutdowns (Ethiopia)
Ethiopiaet-const-privacyConstitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, 1995, Articles 26 & 29 (Right to privacy of communications and freedom of expression)
Ethiopiaug-ati-2005The Access to Information Act, 2005 (Act No. 6 of 2005) (Uganda)
Ugandaug-interception-2010The Regulation of Interception of Communications Act, 2010 (Act No. 18 of 2010) (Uganda)
Ugandaug-ott-2018The Excise Duty (Amendment) Act, 2018, Over-the-Top (social media) tax (Uganda)
Ugandaug-const-privacyConstitution of the Republic of Uganda, 1995, Article 27 (Right to privacy of person, home, correspondence and communication)
Ugandatz-onlinecontent-2020The Electronic and Postal Communications (Online Content) Regulations, 2020 (GN No. 538 of 2020) (Tanzania)
Tanzaniatz-const-privacyConstitution of the United Republic of Tanzania, 1977, Articles 16 & 18 (Right to privacy of communications and freedom of expression/information)
Tanzaniatz-ati-2016The Access to Information Act, 2016 (Act No. 6 of 2016) (Tanzania)
Tanzaniamg-const-privacyConstitution of the Fourth Republic of Madagascar, 2010, Article 13 (Inviolability of the person, the home and secrecy of correspondence)
Madagascarmu-icta-s46-2018Information and Communication Technologies Act 2001, Section 46 (online communications offences, as amended) (Mauritius)
Mauritiussn-digitalrights-penalcode-2021Loi N° 2021-33 du 23 juillet 2021 modifiant le Code pénal et Loi N° 2021-34 modifiant le Code de procédure pénale (Senegal 2021 anti-terrorism amendments, 'offences relating to information and communication technologies' and 'serious disturbance of public order' as terrorist acts)
Senegaleg-medialaw-2018Law No. 180 of 2018 on the Organisation of the Press, Media and the Supreme Council for Media Regulation
Egypteg-const-privacyConstitution of the Arab Republic of Egypt, 2014, Article 57 (Inviolability of private life and confidentiality of communications)
Egyptrw-const-privacyConstitution of the Republic of Rwanda of 2003 (revised in 2015), Article 23 (Privacy and confidentiality of correspondence and communication)
Rwandarw-ati-2013Law N° 04/2013 of 08/02/2013 relating to Access to Information
Rwandarw-interception-2013Law N° 60/2013 of 22/08/2013 regulating the Interception of Communications
Rwandagh-const-privacyConstitution of the Republic of Ghana, 1992, Article 18(2) (Privacy of correspondence and communication)
Ghanagh-rti-2019Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989)
Ghanake-const-privacyConstitution of Kenya, 2010, Article 31 (Right to Privacy, including privacy of communications)
Kenyake-ati-2016Access to Information Act, 2016 (No. 31 of 2016)
Kenyang-const-privacyConstitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, Section 37 (Right to Privacy, including correspondence and communications)
Nigeriabf-digitalrights-penalcode-2019Loi N° 044-2019/AN du 21 juin 2019 portant modification de la loi N° 025-2018/AN du 31 mai 2018 portant Code pénal (Burkina Faso 2019 Penal Code amendment, offences on publication of information relating to security and military operations and to 'false news')
Burkina Fasocv-const-digitalrightsConstituição da República de Cabo Verde, Artigo 45.º (Utilização de meios informáticos e protecção de dados pessoais) e Artigo 48.º (Liberdades de expressão e de informação) (Constitution of the Republic of Cabo Verde, constitutional protection of digital privacy/data and freedom of expression and information)
Cabo Verdegm-digitalrights-ica-amend-2013Information and Communications (Amendment) Act, 2013 (The Gambia), online 'false news', derogatory statements and impersonation offences (section 173A)
Gambiang-foia-2011Freedom of Information Act, 2011
Nigeriang-lic-2019Lawful Interception of Communications Regulations, 2019
Nigeriaza-paia-2000Promotion of Access to Information Act 2 of 2000 (PAIA)
South Africaza-const-privacyConstitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, Section 14 (Right to Privacy, including privacy of communications)
South Africaza-rica-2002Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication-related Information Act 70 of 2002 (RICA)
South Africagq-cyber-draftDraft Law on Cybercrime and the Use of Social Media (Anteproyecto de Ley sobre ciberdelincuencia) (Equatorial Guinea)
Equatorial Guinealy-cyber-2022Law No. 5 of 2022 regarding Combating Cybercrimes (قانون رقم 5 لسنة 2022 بشأن مكافحة الجرائم الإلكترونية) (Libya)
Libyasd-cyber-2018Cybercrime Combating Law 2018 (as amended 2020) / Law Combating Cybercrimes (Sudan)
Sudantn-cyber-2022Décret-loi n° 2022-54 du 13 septembre 2022 relatif à la lutte contre les infractions se rapportant aux systèmes d'information et de communication (Decree-Law No. 2022-54 of 13 September 2022 on combating offences relating to information and communication systems)
Tunisiadz-cyber-2009Loi n° 09-04 du 5 août 2009 portant règles particulières relatives à la prévention et à la lutte contre les infractions liées aux technologies de l'information et de la communication (Law No. 09-04 of 5 August 2009 laying down specific rules for the prevention and combating of offences relating to information and communication technologies)
Algerials-cyber-2024Computer Crime and Cyber Security Bill, 2024 (Lesotho)
Lesothosz-cyber-2022Computer Crime and Cybercrime Act, 2022 (Act No. 6 of 2022) (Eswatini)
Eswatiniss-cyber-2026Cybercrime and Computer Misuse Act, 2026
South Sudanet-cyber-2016Computer Crime Proclamation No. 958/2016
Ethiopiasc-cyber-2021Cybercrimes and Other Related Crimes Act, 2021 (Act 59 of 2021)
Seychellesmg-cyber-2014Loi n° 2014-006 du 17 juillet 2014 sur la lutte contre la cybercriminalité
Madagascarug-cyber-2011The Computer Misuse Act, 2011 (Act No. 2 of 2011)
Ugandatz-cyber-2015The Cybercrimes Act, 2015 (Act No. 14 of 2015)
Tanzaniatg-cyber-2018Loi n° 2018-026 du 7 décembre 2018 sur la cybersécurité et la lutte contre la cybercriminalité (Law on Cybersecurity and Combating Cybercrime) (Togo)
Togosl-cyber-2021Cyber Security and Crime Act, 2021 (Act No. 7 of 2021) (Sierra Leone)
Sierra Leonemr-cyber-2016Loi n° 2016-007 du 20 janvier 2016 relative à la cybercriminalité (Law on Cybercrime) (Mauritania)
Mauritaniaml-cyber-2019Loi N° 2019-056 du 5 décembre 2019 portant répression de la cybercriminalité (Law on the Suppression of Cybercrime) (Mali)
Maline-cyber-2019Loi N° 2019-33 du 3 juillet 2019 portant répression de la cybercriminalité (Law on the Suppression of Cybercrime), as amended (Niger)
Nigereg-cyber-2018Anti-Cyber and Information Technology Crimes Law No. 175 of 2018
Egyptrw-cyber-2018Law N° 60/2018 of 22/08/2018 on Prevention and Punishment of Cyber Crimes
Rwandang-cyber-2015Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015
Nigeriaza-cyber-2020Cybercrimes Act 19 of 2020
South Africagh-cyber-2020Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038)
Ghanake-cyber-2018Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, 2018 (No. 5 of 2018)
Kenyagm-cyber-draftCybercrime Bill, 2023 (The Gambia)
Gambiaga-ai-2026Ordonnance n° 0011/PR/2026 du 26 février 2026 portant réglementation de l'usage des réseaux sociaux via les plateformes numériques (Ordinance No. 0011/PR/2026 regulating the use of social media via digital platforms) (Gabon)
Gabonbj-digital-code-2018Loi N° 2017-20 du 20 avril 2018 portant Code du numérique (Digital Code of Benin)
Beninmw-etcsa-2016Electronic Transactions and Cyber Security Act, 2016 (No. 33 of 2016) (Malawi)
Malawicd-dc-2023Ordonnance-Loi n° 23/010 du 13 mars 2023 portant code du numérique (Decree-Law No. 23/010 of 13 March 2023 on the Digital Code)
Congo (DRC)cm-cyber-2010Loi n° 2010/012 du 21 décembre 2010 relative à la cybersécurité et à la cybercriminalité (Law No. 2010/012 of 21 December 2010 on Cybersecurity and Cybercriminality)
Cameroon