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
Article 12 of the Law on Cryptography (Law No. 2008-41) provides that the use of encryption services and methods is free, unless the encryption provides confidentiality (as opposed to simply integrity or authenticity) functions. In such cases, under Article 13 of Decree No. 2010-1209, as amended by Decree No. 2012-1508, its use is free only if the key length is less than or equal to 128 bits. A copy of the law (in French) can be found here . A copy of the decree (in French) can be found here .
Mandatory minimum or maximum encryption strength
Article 13 of the Law on Cryptography (Law No. 2008-41) allows the National Cryptology Commission (NCC) to set down rules on the maximum size of encryption keys, and the NCC has set the maximum size at 128 bits (Article 13 of Decree No. 2010-1209, as amended by Decree No. 2012-1508). The use of encryption with a greater key length requires authorisation. A copy of the law (in French) can be found here . A copy of the decree (in French) can be found here .
Licensing/registration requirements
Article 16 of the Law on Cryptography (Law No. 2008-41) provides that bodies exercising cryptology services must be licenced by the National Cryptology Commission. A copy of the law (in French) can be found here .
Import/export controls
Article 12 of the Law on Cryptography (Law No. 2008-41) provides that the supply, import and export of means of cryptology ensuring exclusively the functions of authentication and integrity control are free. Article 14 provides, however, that the supply or importation of a means of cryptology which does not solely perform functions of authentication and integrity control requires approval from the National Cryptology Commission. A copy of the law (in French) can be found here .
Other restrictions
No known legislation or policies.
Obligations on individuals to assist authorities
No known legislation or policies.
Obligations on providers to assist authorities
No known legislation or policies.
Assessment Text Area
In Senegal, the free use of encryption is subject to restrictions on the strength of encryption. The use of encryption above a certain key length requires authorisation by the National Cryptology Commission (NCC).
Murphy's Law