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Online safety & content laws in Libya (2026)

Online safety rules in Libya: heavy restriction.

Libya's online environment is governed by the Anti-Cybercrime Law (Law No. 5/2022), which grants NISSA sweeping administrative powers to block websites and criminalize online speech without judicial authorization, using vague 'public order and morality' standards. A July 2024 presidential decree created an additional Public Morality Protection Agency explicitly tasked with policing social media for 'deviant' content. There is no consumer-oriented online safety framework comparable to the EU DSA or UK OSA; the existing laws function primarily as censorship and repression instruments.

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Legal framework

Law No. 5 of 2022 (Anti-Cybercrime Law); National Information Security and Safety Authority (NISSA); Presidential Council Decree No. 14 of 2024 (Public Morality Protection Agency)

Key points: internet & online safety in Libya

  1. Anti-Cybercrime Law (2022)

    Law No. 5 of 2022, ratified 26 October 2021 and brought into force 27 September 2022, is the primary instrument governing online content. Articles 7 and 8 empower NISSA to block websites and censor content undermining 'security of society and social peace' or deemed 'contrary to public morality', without a judicial warrant.

    lawsociety.ly hrw.org article19.org

  2. Criminal penalties for online speech

    Article 37 of Law No. 5/2022 imposes up to 15 years' imprisonment and fines for sharing 'rumours' or 'information that threatens security or public safety' online. The law also criminalizes possession or use of encryption tools without prior NISSA authorization, and asserts extraterritorial jurisdiction over Libyans abroad.

    smex.org accessnow.org dig.watch

  3. Public Morality Protection Agency (2024)

    Presidential Council Decree No. 14 of July 2024 established the Public Morality Protection Agency with an independent legal and financial mandate to monitor social media and investigate content deemed harmful to 'Libyan values.' Human rights groups warned the body would further chill online expression, especially for women and journalists.

    freedomhouse.org cihrs.org loc.gov

  4. Active enforcement and internet shutdowns

    Authorities arrested multiple TikTok creators in January and May 2024 for 'publishing inappropriate content' and violating 'public modesty.' In May 2025, a localized internet shutdown lasting approximately 12 hours was imposed in Tripoli during anti-government protests, with at least one provider reporting a complete service outage.

    freedomhouse.org freedomhouse.org

  5. NISSA as administrative censor

    NISSA (established by ministerial decree in 2013) is the principal ICT security and content-regulation authority. Under Law No. 5/2022, NISSA can conduct surveillance of private communications and order blocking of online services without independent judicial oversight, a power criticised by the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression.

    nissa.gov.ly accessnow.org globalvoices.org

  6. No platform-liability or age-verification framework

    Libya has no legislation establishing platform liability rules, duty-of-care obligations, or age-verification requirements comparable to the EU DSA or UK Online Safety Act. Law No. 6/2022 on Electronic Transactions addresses e-commerce validity but does not create online safety obligations for platforms.

    dlapiperdataprotection.com freedomhouse.org

Sources

  1. lawsociety.ly/en/legislation/law-no-5-of-2022-regarding-combating-cybercrimes/
  2. hrw.org/news/2023/04/03/libya-revoke-repressive-anti-cybercrime-law
  3. article19.org/resources/libya-repeal-anti-cybercrime-law-now/
  4. accessnow.org/press-release/libya-cybercrime-law-threat-to-freedom-of-expression/
  5. smex.org/libyas-new-cybercrime-law-legislating-repression/
  6. freedomhouse.org/country/libya/freedom-net/2025
  7. freedomhouse.org/country/libya/freedom-net/2024
  8. nissa.gov.ly/en/
  9. cihrs.org/libya-new-morality-measures-will-impose-authoritarian-hegemony-over-s
  10. loc.gov/item/global-legal-monitor/2024-12-02/libya-ministry-of-interior-annou
  11. dig.watch/resource/libyas-law-no-5-of-2022-regarding-combating-cybercrimes
  12. dlapiperdataprotection.com/index.html?t=law&c=LY
  13. globalvoices.org/2021/11/20/legislating-repression-libyas-new-cybercrime-law/

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Orientation, not legal advice: verify against the primary sources linked above. Last verified 24 May 2026. Methodology & how to cite · State of Technology Regulation 2026