Algeria
AlgeriaWhat 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: 58 (high). This leans on advice written for British nationals, and weights other issuers lower.Adjusted by 4 percent for the relationship between United Kingdom and this destination.For most passports in this region, Algeria requires a visa in advance, 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: 60 (high). This leans on advice written for German nationals, and weights other issuers lower.Adjusted by 4 percent for the relationship between Europe and this destination.For most passports in this region, Algeria requires a visa in advance, 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: 59 (high). This leans on advice written for US nationals, and weights other issuers lower.Adjusted by 4 percent for the relationship between United States and this destination.For most passports in this region, Algeria requires a visa in advance, 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: 59 (high). This leans on advice written for Canadian nationals, and weights other issuers lower.Adjusted by 4 percent for the relationship between Canada and this destination.For most passports in this region, Algeria requires a visa in advance, 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: 58 (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 4 percent for the relationship between Latin America and the Caribbean and this destination.For most passports in this region, Algeria requires a visa in advance, 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: 58 (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, Algeria requires a visa in advance, applied for and vetted before travel. Summarised across 53 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: 58 (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, Algeria requires a visa in advance, applied for and vetted before travel. Summarised across 18 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: 58 (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 4 percent for the relationship between South Asia and this destination.For most passports in this region, Algeria 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.
For East and South East Asia nationals: 58 (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, Algeria 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: 58 (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, Algeria 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.
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 (19 sources)
Freedom House 2026 scored DZA 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 DZA 1 of 4 on free and independent media.
Freedom House, Freedom in the World · observed 2026-01-01
V-Dem Digital Society Project 2025 scored DZA 2.28 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 DZA 0.82 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
Algeria - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
US Department of State, Travel Advisories · observed 2026-08-25 · written for USA nationals
FCDO advice for Algeria: avoid_all_travel_to_parts.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Foreign travel advice · observed 2026-09-25 · written for GBR nationals
Algeria: Exercise a high degree of caution
Global Affairs Canada, Travel advice and advisories · observed 2026-10-15 · written for CAN nationals
Algeria (Algerien): Teilreisewarnung: partial travel warning in force
Auswärtiges Amt, Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise · observed 2026-08-29 · written for DEU nationals
On 16th April 2026, Mohamed Arezki Saïd Chetouane, a figure associated with the Hirak movement, was sentenced by the Blida Criminal Court to seven years’ imprisonment on charges relating to “terrorism”, “insulting the president” and “publication detrimental to the national interest”.
CIVICUS Monitor country updates · observed 2026-05-06 · extracted by language model
The new law introduces a permit system for founding newspapers and launching websites.
SMEX, via a site scoped search · observed 2023-10-02 · extracted by language model
On 21st October 2025, the court of Hussein-Dey sentenced opposition leader Fethi Ghares to two years in prison, along with a fine of 300,000 dinars (about USD 3200), for allegedly “insulting the President of the Republic”, “insulting a constituted body” and “spreading false information likely to undermine public order and security”.
CIVICUS Monitor country updates · observed 2026-09-28 · extracted by language model
On 21st October 2025, the Setif Court of Justice upheld the initial judgment against activist Hmimi Boudier handed down in April, sentencing him to six months of suspended imprisonment and a fine of 100,000 Algerian dinars (about 770 USD).
CIVICUS Monitor country updates · observed 2026-09-28 · extracted by language model
Tadjadit was arrested in January 2025 and sentenced to five years in prison under Articles 96, 79 and 146 of the Penal Code, in connection with his online writings and criticism of the government.
CIVICUS Monitor country updates · observed 2026-05-06 · extracted by language model
According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, Mezghiche was arrested over posts on his Facebook page, reporting on public anger over the imprisonment of local figures in the southern city of Djanet.
CIVICUS Monitor country updates · observed 2026-05-06 · extracted by language model
On 21st April 2026, Kabyle activist Wafia Tidjani was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment under Article 87 bis of the Criminal Code, on the basis of posts on Facebook.
CIVICUS Monitor country updates · observed 2026-05-06 · extracted by language model
On 4th December 2025, the Bir Mourad Raïs court in Algiers sentenced journalist Saâd Bouakba to a three-year suspended prison sentence and a fine of one million dinars (about USD 7700) for "insulting and defaming" the "symbols of the National Liberation Revolution" and for "spreading false information" via information and communication technologies.
CIVICUS Monitor country updates · observed 2025-12-17 · extracted by language model
He was prosecuted for posting content likely to harm national interests, under Article 96 of the Penal Code, and spreading misleading information that could undermine public order, under Article 196 bis of the Penal Code.
CIVICUS Monitor country updates · observed 2025-12-17 · extracted by language model
Algerian authorities have imposed restrictions and censorship on the media ahead of the September presidential elections, where President Abdelmajid Tebboune is likely to seek another term, according to news reports and two local journalists who spoke with CPJ on condition of anonymity, citing fear of reprisal.
Committee to Protect Journalists, via a site scoped search · observed 2024-07-05 · extracted by language model
On 5th January 2026, security services arrested four individuals, including three truck drivers, who had recorded a video documenting the movement.
CIVICUS Monitor country updates · observed 2026-05-06 · extracted by language model
Report an inaccuracy (corrections need a link to the reporting, statute or research that shows it).
1 excluded source
- Committee to Protect Journalists, via a site scoped search, observed 2019-07-01: aged out after 7 years.
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 66% of full strength.
Why this score (7 sources)
Freedom House 2026 scored DZA 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 DZA 0.80 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 DZA 2.04 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
The World Justice Project Rule of Law Index 2025 scored DZA 0.42 of 1 on whether freedom from arbitrary interference with privacy is effectively guaranteed, a measure built from expert assessments of warrantless interception of communications.
World Justice Project, Rule of Law Index, sub-factor 4.6 · observed 2025-01-01
The security services closely monitored social media, and the capital Algiers was put under heavy police surveillance.
CIVICUS Monitor country updates · observed 2026-09-28 · extracted by language model
The security services closely monitored social media, and the capital Algiers was put under heavy police surveillance.
CIVICUS Monitor country updates · observed 2025-12-17 · extracted by language model
According to the new Media Law, the powers of the Audiovisual Regulatory Authority now include “controlling and monitoring online audiovisual telecommunications services” and “ensuring professional journalism practices that strike a balance between freedom of the press and professional responsibility.”
SMEX, via a site scoped search · observed 2023-10-02 · extracted by language model
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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 DZA 2.04 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
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Connectivity continuity
How likely am I to lose access to the internet, or to the specific tools I depend on?
good confidence8 independent sources
Why this score (16 sources)
V-Dem Digital Society Project 2025 scored DZA 2.23 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 DZA 0.24 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 7,497 anomalous results across 133,858 web connectivity measurements in DZA 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
Algeria - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
US Department of State, Travel Advisories · observed 2026-08-25 · written for USA nationals
FCDO advice for Algeria: avoid_all_travel_to_parts.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Foreign travel advice · observed 2026-09-25 · written for GBR nationals
Algeria: Exercise a high degree of caution
Global Affairs Canada, Travel advice and advisories · observed 2026-10-15 · written for CAN nationals
Algeria (Algerien): Teilreisewarnung: partial travel warning in force
Auswärtiges Amt, Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise · observed 2026-08-29 · written for DEU nationals
For the past eight years, Algerian authorities have imposed internet shutdowns to “prevent cheating” during the national baccalaureate exams.
SMEX, via a site scoped search · observed 2024-06-20 · extracted by language model
IODA detected 1 internet outage event affecting Algeria in the 7 days to 2026-10-04, with an aggregate disruption score of 4,526.
Georgia Tech Internet Intelligence Lab, Internet Outage Detection and Analysis · observed 2026-10-04
IODA detected 2 internet outage events affecting Algeria in the 7 days to 2026-10-03, with an aggregate disruption score of 9,806.
Georgia Tech Internet Intelligence Lab, Internet Outage Detection and Analysis · observed 2026-10-03
IODA detected 2 internet outage events affecting Algeria in the 7 days to 2026-10-02, with an aggregate disruption score of 9,806.
Georgia Tech Internet Intelligence Lab, Internet Outage Detection and Analysis · observed 2026-10-02
IODA detected 2 internet outage events affecting Algeria in the 7 days to 2026-10-01, with an aggregate disruption score of 9,806.
Georgia Tech Internet Intelligence Lab, Internet Outage Detection and Analysis · observed 2026-10-01
IODA detected 2 internet outage events affecting Algeria in the 7 days to 2026-09-30, with an aggregate disruption score of 9,806.
Georgia Tech Internet Intelligence Lab, Internet Outage Detection and Analysis · observed 2026-09-30
IODA detected 2 internet outage events affecting Algeria in the 7 days to 2026-09-29, with an aggregate disruption score of 9,806.
Georgia Tech Internet Intelligence Lab, Internet Outage Detection and Analysis · observed 2026-09-29
IODA detected 2 internet outage events affecting Algeria in the 7 days to 2026-09-28, with an aggregate disruption score of 9,806.
Georgia Tech Internet Intelligence Lab, Internet Outage Detection and Analysis · observed 2026-09-28
IODA detected 1 internet outage event affecting Algeria in the 7 days to 2026-09-27, with an aggregate disruption score of 5,280.
Georgia Tech Internet Intelligence Lab, Internet Outage Detection and Analysis · observed 2026-09-27
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Encryption and VPN legality
Are VPNs and strong encryption lawful, and can I be required to install an application or hand over keys?
low confidence2 independent sourcesEvidence is ageing: contributing sources are weighted at 60% of full strength.
Why this score (2 sources)
Minimal restrictions. There are no bans on the use of strong encryption in Algeria, although the law does contain provisions allowing the government to decrypt encrypted data, including through hacking, subject to judicial authorisation. The law also requires that all electronic equipment, which can be interpreted to include encryption products, to be granted approval by the government prior to import.
Global Partners Digital, World Map of Encryption Laws and Policies · observed 2019-06-01
V-Dem Digital Society Project 2025 scored DZA 1.19 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
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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 confidence5 independent sources
No reports were found of devices being searched, imaged or seized at this border, or of travellers being compelled to unlock them. 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 (5 indirect sources)
Freedom House 2026 scored DZA 1 of 4 on due process in civil and criminal matters.
Freedom House, Freedom in the World · observed 2026-01-01
Algeria - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
US Department of State, Travel Advisories · observed 2026-08-25 · written for USA nationals
FCDO advice for Algeria: avoid_all_travel_to_parts.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Foreign travel advice · observed 2026-09-25 · written for GBR nationals
Algeria: Exercise a high degree of caution
Global Affairs Canada, Travel advice and advisories · observed 2026-10-15 · written for CAN nationals
Algeria (Algerien): Teilreisewarnung: partial travel warning in force
Auswärtiges Amt, Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise · observed 2026-08-29 · written for DEU nationals
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 confidence1 independent sourceEvidence is ageing: contributing sources are weighted at 66% of full strength.
No reports were found of attacks, interception or fraud aimed at visitors using networks 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)
ITU Global Cybersecurity Index 2024, Technical pillar: 8.57 of 20.
International Telecommunication Union, Global Cybersecurity Index · observed 2024-12-31
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Trend
The overall score is up 4.0 points over 61 days, from 52 to 56. 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 Algeria. 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 14 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; 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; International Telecommunication Union, Global Cybersecurity Index; Open Observatory of Network Interference, OONI measurement data; SMEX, 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; World Justice Project, Rule of Law Index, sub-factor 4.6. 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.