Bahrain
BahrainWhat 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: 52 (high). This leans on advice written for British nationals, and weights other issuers lower.
For Europe nationals: 52 (high). This leans on advice written for German nationals, and weights other issuers lower.
For United States nationals: 54 (high). This leans on advice written for US nationals, and weights other issuers lower.
For Canada nationals: 54 (high). This leans on advice written for Canadian nationals, and weights other issuers lower.
For Latin America and the Caribbean nationals: 54 (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, Bahrain 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: 54 (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 2 percent for the relationship between Africa and this destination.For most passports in this region, Bahrain requires an electronic visa, 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: 54 (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 2 percent for the relationship between Middle East and this destination.For most passports in this region, Bahrain requires an electronic visa, 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: 54 (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, Bahrain 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: 54 (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 2 percent for the relationship between East and South East Asia and this destination.For most passports in this region, Bahrain requires an electronic visa, 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: 54 (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 2 percent for the relationship between Oceania and this destination.For most passports in this region, Bahrain 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.
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.
Speech and legal exposure
What legal risk attaches to what I have said online, or say while I am there?
good confidence9 independent sources
Why this score (16 sources)
Freedom House 2026 scored BHR 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 BHR 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 BHR 2.61 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 BHR 0.28 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
Bahrain - Level 3: Reconsider Travel
US Department of State, Travel Advisories · observed 2026-08-27 · written for USA nationals
FCDO advice for Bahrain: no advisory against travel in force.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Foreign travel advice · observed 2026-10-08 · written for GBR nationals
Bahrain: Avoid non-essential travel
Global Affairs Canada, Travel advice and advisories · observed 2026-10-14 · written for CAN nationals
Bahrain: No travel warning in force
Auswärtiges Amt, Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise · observed 2026-09-04 · written for DEU nationals
Violation of this prohibition risks arrest and prosecution.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Foreign travel advice · observed 2026-10-08 · written for GBR nationals · extracted by language model
Prominent human rights and environmental activist Mohammed Jawad Hameed also remains in detention after he was arbitrarily arrested on 7th April 2026 for critising on social media the death of torture victim, HRD Mohammed Al-Mousawi (see above paragraph).
CIVICUS Monitor country updates · observed 2026-07-21 · extracted by language model
The photojournalist was convicted on charges including allegedly promoting content deemed supportive of Iran during the war, filming and sharing images of sensitive infrastructure during a conflict, and unlawfully publishing defense-related material, according to a Bahraini rights defender who requested anonymity for fear of reprisal.
Committee to Protect Journalists, via a site scoped search · observed 2026-04-29 · extracted by language model
Filming, taking photos and online sharing of images of military installations, activity or damage could lead to severe penalties pursuant to the enforcement of local laws and regulations across the region.
Global Affairs Canada, Travel advice and advisories · observed 2026-10-16 · written for CAN nationals · extracted by language model
You may be subject to heavy fines if you show disrespect toward officials by making verbal insults and obscene gestures.
Global Affairs Canada, Travel advice and advisories · observed 2026-10-16 · written for CAN nationals · extracted by language model
Offensive language, spitting and aggressive behaviour (including ‘road rage’ hand gestures) are seen as seriously offensive and can result in a prison sentence and deportation.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Foreign travel advice · observed 2026-10-08 · written for GBR nationals · extracted by language model
Yusuf was arrested following her online criticism of Bahrain’s Grand Prix, and has been subjected to arbitrary detention and torture.
CIVICUS Monitor country updates · observed 2025-12-31 · extracted by language model
Thirteen years since Bahrain’s popular uprising, systemic injustice has intensified and political repression targeting dissidents, human rights defenders, clerics and independent civil society has effectively shut any space for the peaceful exercise of the right to freedom of expression or peaceful activism in the country.
Index on Censorship, via a site scoped search · observed 2024-05-31 · extracted by language model
Report an inaccuracy (corrections need a link to the reporting, statute or research that shows it).
Surveillance and interception
How comprehensively are communications intercepted, retained, and monitored, and is commercial spyware in use?
moderate confidence2 independent sources
Why this score (3 sources)
Freedom House 2026 scored BHR 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 BHR 1.14 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 BHR 2.33 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
Report an inaccuracy (corrections need a link to the reporting, statute or research that shows it).
2 excluded sources
- Index on Censorship, via a site scoped search, observed 2011-07-01: aged out after 15 years.
- Middle East Eye, via a site scoped search, observed 2019-07-01: aged out after 7 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 confidence3 independent sources
Why this score (3 sources)
Minimal restrictions. Bahrain does not impose any limitations on the use of encryption or provide government agencies with specific powers to decrypt data or order specific persons to do so. However, it does criminalise the use of encruption to to commit or conceal any crime, punishable by imprisonment, a fine or both.
Global Partners Digital, World Map of Encryption Laws and Policies · observed 2019-06-01
V-Dem Digital Society Project 2025 scored BHR 1.03 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
OONI confirmed blocking on 8 of 1,035 measurements of anonymity and censorship circumvention tools in BHR over the 90 days to 2026-10-16, a confirmed blocking rate of 0.77 percent, with 370 further results inconclusive.
Open Observatory of Network Interference, OONI measurement data · observed 2026-10-16
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 BHR 1 of 4 on due process in civil and criminal matters.
Freedom House, Freedom in the World · observed 2026-01-01
Bahrain - Level 3: Reconsider Travel
US Department of State, Travel Advisories · observed 2026-08-27 · written for USA nationals
FCDO advice for Bahrain: no advisory against travel in force.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Foreign travel advice · observed 2026-10-08 · written for GBR nationals
Bahrain: Avoid non-essential travel
Global Affairs Canada, Travel advice and advisories · observed 2026-10-14 · written for CAN nationals
Bahrain: No travel warning in force
Auswärtiges Amt, Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise · observed 2026-09-04 · written for DEU nationals
また、通信機器、コンピュータ等の電子機器は、厳しく検査される場合があります。
Our translation: In addition, electronic devices such as communications equipment and computers may be subject to strict inspection.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Overseas travel safety information · observed 2026-10-16 · written for JPN nationals · extracted by language model
Report an inaccuracy (corrections need a link to the reporting, statute or research that shows it).
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 BHR 2.33 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).
Connectivity continuity
How likely am I to lose access to the internet, or to the specific tools I depend on?
good confidence7 independent sources
Why this score (14 sources)
V-Dem Digital Society Project 2025 scored BHR 2.53 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 BHR 1.02 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 566 anomalous results across 23,674 web connectivity measurements in BHR 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
Bahrain - Level 3: Reconsider Travel
US Department of State, Travel Advisories · observed 2026-08-27 · written for USA nationals
FCDO advice for Bahrain: no advisory against travel in force.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Foreign travel advice · observed 2026-10-08 · written for GBR nationals
Bahrain: Avoid non-essential travel
Global Affairs Canada, Travel advice and advisories · observed 2026-10-14 · written for CAN nationals
Bahrain: No travel warning in force
Auswärtiges Amt, Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise · observed 2026-09-04 · written for DEU nationals
IODA detected 1 internet outage event affecting Bahrain in the 7 days to 2026-10-01, with an aggregate disruption score of 2,849.
Georgia Tech Internet Intelligence Lab, Internet Outage Detection and Analysis · observed 2026-10-01
IODA detected 1 internet outage event affecting Bahrain in the 7 days to 2026-09-30, with an aggregate disruption score of 2,849.
Georgia Tech Internet Intelligence Lab, Internet Outage Detection and Analysis · observed 2026-09-30
IODA detected 1 internet outage event affecting Bahrain in the 7 days to 2026-09-29, with an aggregate disruption score of 2,849.
Georgia Tech Internet Intelligence Lab, Internet Outage Detection and Analysis · observed 2026-09-29
IODA detected 1 internet outage event affecting Bahrain in the 7 days to 2026-09-28, with an aggregate disruption score of 2,849.
Georgia Tech Internet Intelligence Lab, Internet Outage Detection and Analysis · observed 2026-09-28
IODA detected 1 internet outage event affecting Bahrain in the 7 days to 2026-09-27, with an aggregate disruption score of 2,849.
Georgia Tech Internet Intelligence Lab, Internet Outage Detection and Analysis · observed 2026-09-27
IODA detected 1 internet outage event affecting Bahrain in the 7 days to 2026-09-26, with an aggregate disruption score of 2,849.
Georgia Tech Internet Intelligence Lab, Internet Outage Detection and Analysis · observed 2026-09-26
IODA detected 1 internet outage event affecting Bahrain in the 7 days to 2026-09-25, with an aggregate disruption score of 2,849.
Georgia Tech Internet Intelligence Lab, Internet Outage Detection and Analysis · observed 2026-09-25
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?
good confidence3 independent sourcesEvidence is ageing: contributing sources are weighted at 66% of full strength.
Why this score (3 sources)
ITU Global Cybersecurity Index 2024, Technical pillar: 20.00 of 20.
International Telecommunication Union, Global Cybersecurity Index · observed 2024-12-31
Freedom House scored Bahrain 16 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
また、最近では、インターネットやスマートフォン等を利用して金銭を詐取する詐欺事案も発生しています。
Our translation: Also, recently, cases of fraud involving the acquisition of money through the use of the internet, smartphones and other means have occurred.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Overseas travel safety information · observed 2026-10-16 · written for JPN nationals · extracted by language model
Report an inaccuracy (corrections need a link to the reporting, statute or research that shows it).
Trend
The overall score is down 3.2 points over 61 days, from 56.3 to 53.1. 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 Bahrain. 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 15 sources: Auswärtiges Amt, Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise; CIVICUS Monitor country updates; 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 Partners Digital, World Map of Encryption Laws and Policies; Index on Censorship, via a site scoped search; International Telecommunication Union, Global Cybersecurity Index; Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Overseas travel safety information; Open Observatory of Network Interference, OONI measurement data; 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.