Encryption Law by Country
Where strong encryption is a right, restricted, or compelled. National law and policy, mirrored per country.
Source: Global Partners Digital, World Map of Encryption, updated 2026-07-02. Full data at www.gp-digital.org/world-map-of-encryption
Encryption Law by Country (196)
General right to encryption
No known legislation or policies.
Mandatory minimum or maximum encryption strength
No known legislation or policies.
Licensing/registration requirements
No known legislation or policies.
Import/export controls
No known legislation or policies.
Other restrictions
Article 23(7) of the Electronic Commerce Act provides that no person shall use cryptographic or other similar techniques for any illegal purpose. Doing so is an offence punishable by imprisonment of up to two years and/or a fine of up to €250,000 (s. 24). A copy of the law can be found here .
Obligations on individuals to assist authorities
Section 355Q of the Criminal Code provides that the police may, in addition to the power of seizing a computer machine, require any information which is contained in a computer to be delivered in a form in which it can be taken away and in which it is visible and legible. A copy of the Criminal Code can be found here .
Obligations on providers to assist authorities
Section 355Q of the Criminal Code provides that the police may, in addition to the power of seizing a computer machine, require any information which is contained in a computer to be delivered in a form in which it can be taken away and in which it is visible and legible. A copy of the Criminal Code can be found here .
Assessment Text Area
The law in Malta empowers the police to seize a computer/machine in the course of an investigation and to require encrypted information to be decrypted by the person in possession of the passcode. It also makes the use of encryption for any illegal purpose punishable by imprisonment and/or a fine.
Murphy's Law