United Kingdom
United KingdomWhat 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: 35 (caution). This leans on advice written for British nationals, and weights other issuers lower.
For Europe nationals: 34 (caution). This leans on advice written for German nationals, and weights other issuers lower.
For United States nationals: 36 (caution). 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, United Kingdom requires an electronic travel authorisation 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: 36 (caution). 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, United Kingdom requires an electronic travel authorisation 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: 36 (caution). 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, United Kingdom requires an electronic travel authorisation 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: 37 (caution). 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, United Kingdom 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: 37 (caution). 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, United Kingdom 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: 37 (caution). 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, United Kingdom 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: 37 (caution). 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, United Kingdom 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: 36 (caution). 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, United Kingdom requires an electronic travel authorisation 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 confidence7 independent sourcesEvidence is ageing: contributing sources are weighted at 69% of full strength.
Why this score (8 sources)
Freedom House 2026 scored GBR 3 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 GBR 3.06 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 GBR 2.91 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 GBR 0.83 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 Metropolitan Police uses live facial recognition at major events such as soccer matches and the Notting Hill Carnival to identify people on its watch lists.
Daily Maverick feed · observed 2025-12-04 · extracted by language model
UK police have deployed the live facial-recognition system around 100 times since late January, compared to only 10 between 2016 and 2019.
Jamaica Observer, via a site scoped search · observed 2025-08-24 · extracted by language model
A local councillor, Tristan Wilkinson, told Reuters there had been a specific threat about six weeks ago from the Iranians against the base in western England, leading to increased surveillance in the area.
Al-Monitor feed · observed 2026-09-28 · extracted by language model
Victoria Underground Station- New facial recognition trial to begin
The GDELT Project, GDELT Global Knowledge Graph 2.1 · observed 2026-08-10 · extracted by language model
Report an inaccuracy (corrections need a link to the reporting, statute or research that shows it).
2 excluded sources
- Rappler, via a site scoped search, observed 2024-06-12: aged out after 2 years.
- The National (Papua New Guinea), via a site scoped search, observed 2024-07-01: aged out after 2 years.
Network threat
How hostile is the network environment to a foreign visitor, from state actors and criminals alike?
good confidence5 independent sources
Why this score (5 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 United Kingdom 24 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
Perpetrators may compromise public Wi-Fi networks to steal credit card or personal information.
Global Affairs Canada, Travel advice and advisories · observed 2026-10-16 · written for CAN nationals · extracted by language model
The telecommunications giant BT Group, one of Britain’s largest companies, confirmed on Wednesday “an attempt to compromise” its conferencing platform after the Black Basta ransomware group claimed on its darknet leak site to have obtained the company's corporate data.
The Record feed · observed 2024-12-04 · extracted by language model
ア 手口の多くは、自身のメールアドレスに見知らぬ人物からメールやSNS等による、莫大な遺産の相続人に選ばれたとの通知であったり、企業への投資や買収への協力の内容であったりする。
Our translation: a Many of the methods involve emails or social media messages from unknown people to one's own email address, such as notifications that one has been chosen as the heir to a huge inheritance, or proposals to cooperate with corporate investment or acquisitions.
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).
1 excluded source
- Rappler, via a site scoped search, observed 2024-07-05: aged out after 2 years.
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?
moderate confidence5 independent sources
Why this score (5 sources)
Freedom House 2026 scored GBR 3 of 4 on due process in civil and criminal matters.
Freedom House, Freedom in the World · observed 2026-01-01
United Kingdom - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
US Department of State, Travel Advisories · observed 2026-09-09 · written for USA nationals
United Kingdom: Exercise a high degree of caution
Global Affairs Canada, Travel advice and advisories · observed 2026-10-05 · written for CAN nationals
United Kingdom (Vereinigtes Königreich): No travel warning in force
Auswärtiges Amt, Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise · observed 2026-07-03 · written for DEU nationals
The examining officer may copy anything which— (a) is given to the examining officer in accordance with paragraph 5, (b) is searched or found on a search under paragraph 8, or (c) is examined under paragraph 9.
The National Archives, legislation.gov.uk · observed 2014-07-31
Report an inaccuracy (corrections need a link to the reporting, statute or research that shows it).
1 excluded source
- ARTICLE 19, via a site scoped search, observed 2023-04-21: aged out after 3 years.
Speech and legal exposure
What legal risk attaches to what I have said online, or say while I am there?
good confidence7 independent sources
Why this score (9 sources)
Freedom House 2026 scored GBR 3 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 GBR 4 of 4 on free and independent media.
Freedom House, Freedom in the World · observed 2026-01-01
V-Dem Digital Society Project 2025 scored GBR 3.62 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 GBR 1.96 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
United Kingdom - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
US Department of State, Travel Advisories · observed 2026-09-09 · written for USA nationals
United Kingdom: Exercise a high degree of caution
Global Affairs Canada, Travel advice and advisories · observed 2026-10-05 · written for CAN nationals
United Kingdom (Vereinigtes Königreich): No travel warning in force
Auswärtiges Amt, Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise · observed 2026-07-03 · written for DEU nationals
While those inciting violence online can be prosecuted individually, the government has no way to force social media companies to police their platforms until the Online Safety Bill comes into effect.
Rappler, via a site scoped search · observed 2024-08-08 · extracted by language model
UK Police Force Referred over 100 Online Posts for Arrest
The GDELT Project, GDELT Global Knowledge Graph 2.1 · observed 2026-08-10 · extracted by language model
Report an inaccuracy (corrections need a link to the reporting, statute or research that shows it).
1 excluded source
- Rappler, via a site scoped search, observed 2024-08-07: aged out after 2 years.
Encryption and VPN legality
Are VPNs and strong encryption lawful, and can I be required to install an application or hand over keys?
good confidence5 independent sources
Why this score (5 sources)
Some restrictions. In the United Kingdom, telecommunication service providers may be served with a 'technical capability notice' by the Secretary of State who must ensure certain requirements are met. These notices impose on the provider any applicable obligations specified, and require them to take all steps specified in order to comply with those obligations. The obligations that can be included in a technical capability notice are to set out in secondary legislation and capability to decrypt encrypted data. Where the Secretary of State is considering whether to issue a notice which requires the removal of ele
Global Partners Digital, World Map of Encryption Laws and Policies · observed 2019-06-01
V-Dem Digital Society Project 2025 scored GBR 3.78 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 526 of 219,086 measurements of anonymity and censorship circumvention tools in GBR over the 90 days to 2026-10-16, a confirmed blocking rate of 0.24 percent, with 10,083 further results inconclusive.
Open Observatory of Network Interference, OONI measurement data · observed 2026-10-16
Britain has dropped its demand for the iPhone maker Apple to provide a “backdoor” that would have enabled access to the protected, encrypted data of American citizens, U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said.
MyJoyOnline, via a site scoped search · observed 2025-08-20 · extracted by language model
Last month, the UK government demanded that Apple weaken the security of iCloud for users worldwide.
Schneier on Security feed · observed 2025-02-26 · extracted by language model
Report an inaccuracy (corrections need a link to the reporting, statute or research that shows it).
1 excluded source
- Rappler, via a site scoped search, observed 2023-09-07: aged out after 3 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 GBR 2.91 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 (8 sources)
V-Dem Digital Society Project 2025 scored GBR 3.96 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 GBR 3.65 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 1,557 confirmed and 25,139 anomalous results across 1,361,490 web connectivity measurements in GBR over the 30 days to 2026-10-16, a confirmed blocking rate of 0.11 percent.
Open Observatory of Network Interference, OONI measurement data · observed 2026-10-16
United Kingdom - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
US Department of State, Travel Advisories · observed 2026-09-09 · written for USA nationals
United Kingdom: Exercise a high degree of caution
Global Affairs Canada, Travel advice and advisories · observed 2026-10-05 · written for CAN nationals
United Kingdom (Vereinigtes Königreich): No travel warning in force
Auswärtiges Amt, Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise · observed 2026-07-03 · written for DEU nationals
Britain has separately been considering whether to ban children from accessing social media in response to widespread concern about its overall safety and the impact it has on mental health.
Rappler, via a site scoped search · observed 2026-06-08 · extracted by language model
On Monday 15 June, the United Kingdom government has announced it will ban social media platforms from offering services to under-16s.
ARTICLE 19, via a site scoped search · observed 2026-06-15 · 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 up 8.5 points over 61 days, from 27 to 35.5. 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 United Kingdom. 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 21 sources: Al-Monitor feed; ARTICLE 19, via a site scoped search; Auswärtiges Amt, Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise; Daily Maverick feed; Freedom House, Freedom in the World; Freedom House, Freedom on the Net, obstacles to access; Global Affairs Canada, Travel advice and advisories; Global Partners Digital, World Map of Encryption Laws and Policies; International Telecommunication Union, Global Cybersecurity Index; Jamaica Observer, via a site scoped search; Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Overseas travel safety information; MyJoyOnline, via a site scoped search; Open Observatory of Network Interference, OONI measurement data; Rappler, via a site scoped search; Schneier on Security feed; The GDELT Project, GDELT Global Knowledge Graph 2.1; The National Archives, legislation.gov.uk; The Record feed; 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.