Azerbaijan
AzerbaijanWhat this score means
- Extreme75 to 100
- Severe and systematic. Device search, interception and detention over online activity are documented rather than theoretical. Reconsider what you carry and what you say.
- High50 to 74
- Substantial and consistently evidenced measures. Device inspection, monitored networks or restricted services should be expected rather than treated as unlikely.
- Caution25 to 49
- Some risk, and manageable with precautions. Measures are evidenced but are narrow, inconsistently applied, or the picture is mixed.
- Low0 to 24
- Ordinary precautions. No systematic device search, network restriction or prosecution of visitors for online speech is evidenced.
Government travel advice is written for one citizenry, so the same country carries a different assessment depending on your passport. Change it in the header.
Showing the baseline, which weights every issuer equally. No government in our corpus publishes travel advice written for you, so this is not addressed to you specifically.
For United Kingdom nationals: 71 (high). This leans on advice written for British nationals, and weights other issuers lower.Adjusted by 2 percent for the relationship between United Kingdom and this destination.For most passports in this region, Azerbaijan requires an electronic visa, applied for and vetted before travel. Summarised across 1 passports, which do not all face the same rule. Source.A sanctions regime is not a measure of cyber risk. It is used as a bounded proxy for the closer attention nationals of a sanctioning state are reported to receive on entry, and it can move a score by a limited amount in either direction, never replace it.
For Europe nationals: 73 (high). This leans on advice written for German nationals, and weights other issuers lower.Adjusted by 2 percent for the relationship between Europe and this destination.For most passports in this region, Azerbaijan requires an electronic visa, applied for and vetted before travel. Summarised across 43 passports, which do not all face the same rule. Source.A sanctions regime is not a measure of cyber risk. It is used as a bounded proxy for the closer attention nationals of a sanctioning state are reported to receive on entry, and it can move a score by a limited amount in either direction, never replace it.
For United States nationals: 73 (high). This leans on advice written for US nationals, and weights other issuers lower.Adjusted by 2 percent for the relationship between United States and this destination.For most passports in this region, Azerbaijan requires an electronic visa, applied for and vetted before travel. Summarised across 1 passports, which do not all face the same rule. Source.A sanctions regime is not a measure of cyber risk. It is used as a bounded proxy for the closer attention nationals of a sanctioning state are reported to receive on entry, and it can move a score by a limited amount in either direction, never replace it.
For Canada nationals: 72 (high). This leans on advice written for Canadian nationals, and weights other issuers lower.Adjusted by 2 percent for the relationship between Canada and this destination.For most passports in this region, Azerbaijan requires an electronic visa, applied for and vetted before travel. Summarised across 1 passports, which do not all face the same rule. Source.A sanctions regime is not a measure of cyber risk. It is used as a bounded proxy for the closer attention nationals of a sanctioning state are reported to receive on entry, and it can move a score by a limited amount in either direction, never replace it.
For Latin America and the Caribbean nationals: 72 (high). No government in our corpus writes travel advice for Latin America and the Caribbean, so this starts from the neutral baseline and is then adjusted for the relationship below.Adjusted by 2 percent for the relationship between Latin America and the Caribbean and this destination.For most passports in this region, Azerbaijan requires an electronic visa, applied for and vetted before travel. Summarised across 33 passports, which do not all face the same rule. Source.A sanctions regime is not a measure of cyber risk. It is used as a bounded proxy for the closer attention nationals of a sanctioning state are reported to receive on entry, and it can move a score by a limited amount in either direction, never replace it.
For Africa nationals: 73 (high). No government in our corpus writes travel advice for Africa, so this starts from the neutral baseline and is then adjusted for the relationship below.Adjusted by 4 percent for the relationship between Africa and this destination.For most passports in this region, Azerbaijan requires a visa in advance, applied for and vetted before travel. Summarised across 54 passports, which do not all face the same rule. Source.A sanctions regime is not a measure of cyber risk. It is used as a bounded proxy for the closer attention nationals of a sanctioning state are reported to receive on entry, and it can move a score by a limited amount in either direction, never replace it.
For Middle East nationals: 73 (high). No government in our corpus writes travel advice for Middle East, so this starts from the neutral baseline and is then adjusted for the relationship below.Adjusted by 4 percent for the relationship between Middle East and this destination.For most passports in this region, Azerbaijan requires a visa in advance, applied for and vetted before travel. Summarised across 17 passports, which do not all face the same rule. Source.A sanctions regime is not a measure of cyber risk. It is used as a bounded proxy for the closer attention nationals of a sanctioning state are reported to receive on entry, and it can move a score by a limited amount in either direction, never replace it.
For South Asia nationals: 72 (high). No government in our corpus writes travel advice for South Asia, so this starts from the neutral baseline and is then adjusted for the relationship below.Adjusted by 2 percent for the relationship between South Asia and this destination.For most passports in this region, Azerbaijan requires an electronic visa, applied for and vetted before travel. Summarised across 14 passports, which do not all face the same rule. Source.A sanctions regime is not a measure of cyber risk. It is used as a bounded proxy for the closer attention nationals of a sanctioning state are reported to receive on entry, and it can move a score by a limited amount in either direction, never replace it.
For East and South East Asia nationals: 73 (high). No government in our corpus writes travel advice for East and South East Asia, so this starts from the neutral baseline and is then adjusted for the relationship below.Adjusted by 4 percent for the relationship between East and South East Asia and this destination.For most passports in this region, Azerbaijan requires a visa in advance, applied for and vetted before travel. Summarised across 19 passports, which do not all face the same rule. Source.A sanctions regime is not a measure of cyber risk. It is used as a bounded proxy for the closer attention nationals of a sanctioning state are reported to receive on entry, and it can move a score by a limited amount in either direction, never replace it.
For Oceania nationals: 73 (high). No government in our corpus writes travel advice for Oceania, so this starts from the neutral baseline and is then adjusted for the relationship below.Adjusted by 4 percent for the relationship between Oceania and this destination.For most passports in this region, Azerbaijan requires a visa in advance, applied for and vetted before travel. Summarised across 14 passports, which do not all face the same rule. Source.A sanctions regime is not a measure of cyber risk. It is used as a bounded proxy for the closer attention nationals of a sanctioning state are reported to receive on entry, and it can move a score by a limited amount in either direction, never replace it.
Dimensions
Each dimension is scored independently, because the traveller who cares about legal exposure for what they have posted is often not the one carrying client data. Higher means more risk.
Surveillance and interception
How comprehensively are communications intercepted, retained, and monitored, and is commercial spyware in use?
good confidence5 independent sourcesEvidence is ageing: contributing sources are weighted at 64% of full strength.
Why this score (6 sources)
Freedom House 2026 scored AZE 1 of 4 on freedom to express personal views on sensitive topics without fear of surveillance or retribution.
Freedom House, Freedom in the World · observed 2026-01-01
V-Dem Digital Society Project 2025 scored AZE 0.76 of 4 on how comprehensively the government monitors social media and private online communication, where higher is freer.
V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, Digital Society Project · observed 2025-12-31
V-Dem Digital Society Project 2025 scored AZE 0.67 of 4 on how far privacy protection law shields communications from government access, where higher is freer. This measures what privacy law permits rather than what monitoring is practised, so it is read here as a constraint on interception rather than a measurement of it.
V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, Digital Society Project · observed 2025-12-31
In November 2025, President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree establishing the Centralised Information and Digital Analytics System (MİRAS), a new platform that significantly expands the surveillance powers of Azerbaijan's State Security Service.
CIVICUS Monitor country updates · observed 2026-01-27 · extracted by language model
The brief was filed in support of a group of cases involving the secret surveillance of Azerbaijani journalists, activists, and human rights defenders through the use of Pegasus spyware.
Committee to Protect Journalists, via a site scoped search · observed 2026-04-22 · extracted by language model
And it will be the authorities who hold the list and personal details of all registered journalists and media outlets (including their addresses and the details of their bank accounts and work contracts).
Reporters Without Borders, via a site scoped search · observed 2023-02-08 · extracted by language model
Report an inaccuracy (corrections need a link to the reporting, statute or research that shows it).
1 excluded source
- Global Voices (Advox), via a site scoped search, observed 2024-03-15: aged out after 3 years.
Encryption and VPN legality
Are VPNs and strong encryption lawful, and can I be required to install an application or hand over keys?
moderate confidence1 independent source
No law or enforcement action was found restricting the use of a VPN or strong encryption here. The score below is drawn from general indicators for this country rather than from anything observed about this risk, so it describes an absence of reports rather than evidence that the risk is absent.
What the score rests on (1 indirect source)
V-Dem Digital Society Project 2025 scored AZE 0.21 of 4 on whether the government regulates the internet in a way consistent with international human rights standards, where higher is freer. This does not establish whether encryption or VPN use is lawful. It measures internet regulation in general, and is used as indirect evidence because the only survey that reads encryption law directly was published in 2019.
V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, Digital Society Project · observed 2025-12-31
Report an inaccuracy (corrections need a link to the reporting, statute or research that shows it).
Speech and legal exposure
What legal risk attaches to what I have said online, or say while I am there?
good confidence11 independent sources
Why this score (20 sources)
Freedom House 2026 scored AZE 1 of 4 on freedom to express personal views on sensitive topics without fear of surveillance or retribution.
Freedom House, Freedom in the World · observed 2026-01-01
Freedom House 2026 scored AZE 0 of 4 on free and independent media.
Freedom House, Freedom in the World · observed 2026-01-01
V-Dem Digital Society Project 2025 scored AZE 2.19 of 4 on how routinely the government censors political content on social media, where higher is freer.
V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, Digital Society Project · observed 2025-12-31
V-Dem Digital Society Project 2025 scored AZE 0.46 of 4 on how often people are arrested for political content they posted online, where higher is freer.
V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, Digital Society Project · observed 2025-12-31
Azerbaijan - Level 3: Reconsider Travel
US Department of State, Travel Advisories · observed 2026-04-28 · written for USA nationals
FCDO advice for Azerbaijan: avoid_all_travel_to_parts, avoid_all_but_essential_travel_to_parts.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Foreign travel advice · observed 2026-10-08 · written for GBR nationals
Azerbaijan: Exercise a high degree of caution
Global Affairs Canada, Travel advice and advisories · observed 2026-10-14 · written for CAN nationals
Azerbaijan (Aserbaidschan): Teilreisewarnung: partial travel warning in force
Auswärtiges Amt, Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise · observed 2026-10-15 · written for DEU nationals
A court in Azerbaijan has sentenced 63-year-old Hikmat Shukurov to two years in prison and ordered him to pay ₼50,000 (around $29,000) in compensation to five judges after finding him guilty of insulting and slandering them.
CIVICUS Monitor country updates · observed 2026-01-27 · extracted by language model
On June 23, the Baku Grave Crimes Court sentenced Bahruz Samadov, a peaceful dissident whose case illustrates the regime's stance on opposition, to 15 years in prison.
Global Voices (Advox), via a site scoped search · observed 2025-07-05 · extracted by language model
The display of Soviet or communist symbols is not currently prohibited in Azerbaijan, although OC Media has noted a previous instance in which an individual was arrested after participating in an event while wearing a St George’s ribbon, a Russian nationalist symbol, and speaking under the Soviet flag.
CIVICUS Monitor country updates · observed 2026-01-27 · extracted by language model
New York, July 28, 2026 – The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the extremely harsh prison sentences of up to 15 years handed down on July 27 to journalists and other individuals associated with leading Azerbaijani news outlet Toplum TV on charges related to receipt and use of foreign funds.
Committee to Protect Journalists, via a site scoped search · observed 2026-07-28 · extracted by language model
Hundreds of activists, academics and reporters are currently in jail and this week the Supreme Court of Azerbaijan rejected an appeal from journalists at the independent media outlet Azbas, who’ve been jailed for between seven and nine years.
Index on Censorship, via a site scoped search · observed 2026-04-09 · extracted by language model
On June 20, the Baku Court for Grave Crimes delivered sentences against key members of the independent news outlet – and Global Voices’ content partner – Abzas Media , targeting journalists who have reported on corruption, social injustice and the daily problems of Azerbaijani citizens.
Global Voices (Advox), via a site scoped search · observed 2025-06-30 · extracted by language model
Since November 2023, the state has targeted several online media platforms, arresting reporters, hacking their social media accounts, removing their online content, and denying that the country silences freedom of expression, even as the country ranks 167th out of 180 countries on Reporters Without Borders’ most recent Press Freedom Index.
Global Voices (Advox), via a site scoped search · observed 2025-05-21 · extracted by language model
Azerbaijani authorities commonly use trumped-up charges of hooliganism against government critics, according to rights organizations , including in numerous cases involving journalists .
Committee to Protect Journalists, via a site scoped search · observed 2023-12-04 · extracted by language model
The journalist was detained late at night on April 4, with authorities saying he had “insulted a police officer on social media.”
Civil Georgia, via a site scoped search · observed 2026-04-06 · extracted by language model
State authorities identified Asadli and Ibrahimli as organisers of the march and opened a criminal case against them.
CIVICUS Monitor country updates · observed 2026-01-27 · extracted by language model
Hundreds of activists, academics and reporters are currently in jail and this week the Supreme Court of Azerbaijan rejected an appeal from journalists at the independent media outlet Azbas, who’ve been jailed for between seven and nine years.
Index on Censorship, via a site scoped search · observed 2026-04-09 · extracted by language model
Tbilisi City Court granted a request to deport journalist Afgan Sadigov to Azerbaijan in a ruling delivered at around 4 am on April 5, hours after his late-night arrest at home over what police said was “insult” on social media.
Civil Georgia, via a site scoped search · observed 2026-04-05 · extracted by language model
Report an inaccuracy (corrections need a link to the reporting, statute or research that shows it).
3 excluded sources
- Global Voices (Advox), via a site scoped search, observed 2024-03-15: aged out after 3 years.
- Committee to Protect Journalists, via a site scoped search, observed 2023-07-01: aged out after 3 years.
- Committee to Protect Journalists, via a site scoped search, observed 2024-07-11: aged out after 2 years.
Data jurisdiction
What happens to corporate or client data I carry into the jurisdiction?
moderate confidence1 independent source
Why this score (1 source)
V-Dem Digital Society Project 2025 scored AZE 0.67 of 4 on how far privacy protection law shields communications from government access, where higher is freer.
V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, Digital Society Project · observed 2025-12-31
Report an inaccuracy (corrections need a link to the reporting, statute or research that shows it).
Border device risk
How likely is my device to be searched, imaged, or seized at the border, and can I be compelled to unlock it?
good confidence6 independent sources
Why this score (6 sources)
Freedom House 2026 scored AZE 0 of 4 on due process in civil and criminal matters.
Freedom House, Freedom in the World · observed 2026-01-01
Azerbaijan - Level 3: Reconsider Travel
US Department of State, Travel Advisories · observed 2026-04-28 · written for USA nationals
FCDO advice for Azerbaijan: avoid_all_travel_to_parts, avoid_all_but_essential_travel_to_parts.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Foreign travel advice · observed 2026-10-08 · written for GBR nationals
Azerbaijan: Exercise a high degree of caution
Global Affairs Canada, Travel advice and advisories · observed 2026-10-14 · written for CAN nationals
Azerbaijan (Aserbaidschan): Teilreisewarnung: partial travel warning in force
Auswärtiges Amt, Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise · observed 2026-10-15 · written for DEU nationals
When Huseynov tried bringing in a second drone, the State Customs Committee did not grant him the permission on the grounds that Huseynov did not have official approval from the aforementioned six government agencies.
Global Voices (Advox), via a site scoped search · observed 2024-10-18 · extracted by language model
Report an inaccuracy (corrections need a link to the reporting, statute or research that shows it).
Network threat
How hostile is the network environment to a foreign visitor, from state actors and criminals alike?
moderate confidence3 independent sourcesEvidence is ageing: contributing sources are weighted at 41% of full strength.
Why this score (4 sources)
ITU Global Cybersecurity Index 2024, Technical pillar: 18.02 of 20.
International Telecommunication Union, Global Cybersecurity Index · observed 2024-12-31
Freedom House scored Azerbaijan 12 of 25 on obstacles to access in Freedom on the Net, a category covering state control over internet infrastructure and gateways, regulatory and ownership control over service providers, and the independence of the regulator.
Freedom House, Freedom on the Net, obstacles to access · observed 2025-01-01
Since 2016, Abzas media has been targeted with numerous denial-of-service attacks (DDoS), a cyberattack where a site is blocked for public access.
Global Voices (Advox), via a site scoped search · observed 2024-03-15 · extracted by language model
Since 2016, Absaz media has been targeted with numerous denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks , where a site is blocked for public access.
Global Voices (Advox), via a site scoped search · observed 2024-03-01 · extracted by language model
Report an inaccuracy (corrections need a link to the reporting, statute or research that shows it).
Connectivity continuity
How likely am I to lose access to the internet, or to the specific tools I depend on?
good confidence10 independent sources
Why this score (14 sources)
V-Dem Digital Society Project 2025 scored AZE 2.78 of 4 on how often the government shuts down domestic access to the internet, where higher is freer.
V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, Digital Society Project · observed 2025-12-31
V-Dem Digital Society Project 2025 scored AZE 1.36 of 4 on how routinely the government filters internet content in practice, where higher is freer.
V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, Digital Society Project · observed 2025-12-31
OONI recorded 0 confirmed and 1,938 anomalous results across 39,214 web connectivity measurements in AZE over the 30 days to 2026-10-16, a confirmed blocking rate of 0.00 percent.
Open Observatory of Network Interference, OONI measurement data · observed 2026-10-16
IODA detected 1 internet outage event affecting Azerbaijan in the 7 days to 2026-10-16, with an aggregate disruption score of 2,789.
Georgia Tech Internet Intelligence Lab, Internet Outage Detection and Analysis · observed 2026-10-16
Azerbaijan - Level 3: Reconsider Travel
US Department of State, Travel Advisories · observed 2026-04-28 · written for USA nationals
FCDO advice for Azerbaijan: avoid_all_travel_to_parts, avoid_all_but_essential_travel_to_parts.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Foreign travel advice · observed 2026-10-08 · written for GBR nationals
Azerbaijan: Exercise a high degree of caution
Global Affairs Canada, Travel advice and advisories · observed 2026-10-14 · written for CAN nationals
Azerbaijan (Aserbaidschan): Teilreisewarnung: partial travel warning in force
Auswärtiges Amt, Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise · observed 2026-10-15 · written for DEU nationals
Mammadov also told Abzas Media that the internet and mobile communication were down, leaving residents unable to access the internet, make phone calls, or send text messages.
Global Voices (Advox), via a site scoped search · observed 2025-01-25 · extracted by language model
The authorities also reserve the right to restrict access to the media outlet's website in cases “provided for by law.”
Reporters Without Borders, via a site scoped search · observed 2025-07-16 · extracted by language model
The letter highlights how Azerbaijani authorities have implemented internet restrictions on several occasions during military conflict since 2020.
Committee to Protect Journalists, via a site scoped search · observed 2024-02-05 · extracted by language model
IODA detected 2 internet outage events affecting Azerbaijan in the 7 days to 2026-08-12, with an aggregate disruption score of 38.
Georgia Tech Internet Intelligence Lab, Internet Outage Detection and Analysis · observed 2026-08-12
IODA detected 2 internet outage events affecting Azerbaijan in the 7 days to 2026-08-11, with an aggregate disruption score of 38.
Georgia Tech Internet Intelligence Lab, Internet Outage Detection and Analysis · observed 2026-08-11
IODA detected 2 internet outage events affecting Azerbaijan in the 7 days to 2026-08-10, with an aggregate disruption score of 38.
Georgia Tech Internet Intelligence Lab, Internet Outage Detection and Analysis · observed 2026-08-10
Report an inaccuracy (corrections need a link to the reporting, statute or research that shows it).
2 excluded sources
- Global Voices (Advox), via a site scoped search, observed 2017-07-01: aged out after 9 years.
- Global Voices (Advox), via a site scoped search, observed 2017-07-01: aged out after 9 years.
Trend
The overall score is up 6.0 points over 61 days, from 64.2 to 70.2. Most movement is the event overlay decaying rather than anything happening: a news signal loses half its weight every three weeks, so a score drifts back toward its structural baseline on its own. A step that holds is the one worth reading.
Check this yourself
These are not inputs to the score for Azerbaijan. They are where to look if you want to test what is above against something we did not use.
- OONI ExplorerMeasured tests of website and app blocking, updated continuously by volunteers running probes in country. Not used in our scores: its licence forbids commercial use.
- IODA outage recordThe full outage history behind any continuity events shown above, including the measurement methods that detected them.
- FCDO travel adviceThe UK government view, written for UK nationals.
- US State Department travel advisoriesThe US government view, written for US nationals.
Sources
This assessment draws on 16 sources: Auswärtiges Amt, Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise; CIVICUS Monitor country updates; Civil Georgia, via a site scoped search; Committee to Protect Journalists, via a site scoped search; Freedom House, Freedom in the World; Freedom House, Freedom on the Net, obstacles to access; Georgia Tech Internet Intelligence Lab, Internet Outage Detection and Analysis; Global Affairs Canada, Travel advice and advisories; Global Voices (Advox), via a site scoped search; Index on Censorship, via a site scoped search; International Telecommunication Union, Global Cybersecurity Index; Open Observatory of Network Interference, OONI measurement data; Reporters Without Borders, via a site scoped search; UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Foreign travel advice; US Department of State, Travel Advisories; V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, Digital Society Project. Every contributing claim is quoted with its origin and date above. Model version 0.12.0, computed 2026-10-16.
If something here is wrong, say so. Corrections are handled in public, and we correct because the evidence is wrong, not because someone objects.