Senegal
SenegalWhat 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: 38 (caution). This leans on advice written for British nationals, and weights other issuers lower.
For Europe nationals: 39 (caution). This leans on advice written for German nationals, and weights other issuers lower.
For United States nationals: 39 (caution). This leans on advice written for US nationals, and weights other issuers lower.
For Canada nationals: 41 (caution). This leans on advice written for Canadian nationals, and weights other issuers lower.
For Latin America and the Caribbean nationals: 41 (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 4 percent for the relationship between Latin America and the Caribbean and this destination.For most passports in this region, Senegal 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: 39 (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.
For Middle East nationals: 41 (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, Senegal 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: 41 (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, Senegal 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: 41 (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, Senegal 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: 39 (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.
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 confidence8 independent sources
Why this score (11 sources)
Freedom House 2026 scored SEN 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 SEN 2 of 4 on free and independent media.
Freedom House, Freedom in the World · observed 2026-01-01
V-Dem Digital Society Project 2025 scored SEN 2.83 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 SEN 0.97 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
Senegal - Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
US Department of State, Travel Advisories · observed 2025-12-01 · written for USA nationals
FCDO advice for Senegal: no advisory against travel in force.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Foreign travel advice · observed 2026-10-15 · written for GBR nationals
Senegal: Exercise a high degree of caution
Global Affairs Canada, Travel advice and advisories · observed 2026-10-15 · written for CAN nationals
Senegal: No travel warning in force
Auswärtiges Amt, Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise · observed 2026-09-14 · written for DEU nationals
A Senegalese court sentenced three TikTok influencers to serve prison time and pay a fine for insulting the president, their lawyer said in a video posted on Facebook, a move that critics said was an assault on free speech in the West African country.
MyJoyOnline, via a site scoped search · observed 2026-08-07 · extracted by language model
Le 18 février 2026, à Dakar, la police a arrêté le chroniqueur Abdou Nguer pour avoir contesté la déclaration du procureur Ousmane Ndoye, prononcée lors d’une conférence de presse, concernant la cause du décès d’un étudiant lors d’une manifestation organisée le 9 février par les étudiants de l’université Cheikh Anta Diop (UCAD) et de l’université Gaston-Berger (UGB).
Our translation: On 18 February 2026, in Dakar, the police arrested columnist Abdou Nguer for contesting the statement by prosecutor Ousmane Ndoye, made during a press conference, concerning the cause of the death of a student during a demonstration organised on 9 February by students from Cheikh Anta Diop University (UCAD) and Gaston-Berger University (UGB).
CIVICUS Monitor country updates · observed 2026-03-27 · extracted by language model
On 19th February, Ndoye charged Nguer with spreading false news and ordered his trial on 20th February.
CIVICUS Monitor country updates · observed 2026-03-11 · extracted by language model
Report an inaccuracy (corrections need a link to the reporting, statute or research that shows it).
5 excluded sources
- Premium Times feed, observed 2023-07-01: aged out after 3 years.
- Committee to Protect Journalists, via a site scoped search, observed 2024-03-01: aged out after 3 years.
- Committee to Protect Journalists, via a site scoped search, observed 2024-02-05: aged out after 3 years.
- Committee to Protect Journalists, via a site scoped search, observed 2024-10-04: aged out after 2 years.
- ARTICLE 19, via a site scoped search, observed 2022-09-22: aged out after 4 years.
Surveillance and interception
How comprehensively are communications intercepted, retained, and monitored, and is commercial spyware in use?
good confidence3 independent sources
Why this score (4 sources)
Freedom House 2026 scored SEN 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 SEN 2.28 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 SEN 2.50 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 SEN 0.37 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
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 SEN 2.50 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).
Network threat
How hostile is the network environment to a foreign visitor, from state actors and criminals alike?
good confidence3 independent sources
Why this score (3 sources)
ITU Global Cybersecurity Index 2024, Technical pillar: 14.41 of 20.
International Telecommunication Union, Global Cybersecurity Index · observed 2024-12-31
Criminals can compromise public Wi-Fi networks to steal personal data or credit information.
Global Affairs Canada, Travel advice and advisories · observed 2026-10-16 · written for CAN nationals · extracted by language model
This collaboration is set to be furthered through upcoming technical training sessions on the Meta portal, enhancing the National Police’s operational capabilities and reinforcing public safety across Senegal.
TechAfrica News, via a site scoped search · observed 2026-03-03 · 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 confidence9 independent sources
Why this score (15 sources)
V-Dem Digital Society Project 2025 scored SEN 2.79 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 SEN 2.26 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 2,176 anomalous results across 93,555 web connectivity measurements in SEN 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 Senegal in the 7 days to 2026-10-16, with an aggregate disruption score of 99.
Georgia Tech Internet Intelligence Lab, Internet Outage Detection and Analysis · observed 2026-10-16
Senegal - Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
US Department of State, Travel Advisories · observed 2025-12-01 · written for USA nationals
FCDO advice for Senegal: no advisory against travel in force.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Foreign travel advice · observed 2026-10-15 · written for GBR nationals
Senegal: Exercise a high degree of caution
Global Affairs Canada, Travel advice and advisories · observed 2026-10-15 · written for CAN nationals
Senegal: No travel warning in force
Auswärtiges Amt, Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise · observed 2026-09-14 · written for DEU nationals
The government has also repeatedly blocked mobile internet access.
Committee to Protect Journalists, via a site scoped search · observed 2024-03-01 · extracted by language model
By Simone Toussi | On May 14, 2025, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court of Justice issued a landmark judgment in the case ‘Association of Information and Communication Technology Users (ASUTIC) and Ndiaga Gueye against Republic of Senegal’, declaring that Senegal’s internet and social media shutdowns in June and July 2023 were clear violations of fundamental human rights, including freedom of expression, right to access information, right to assembly and the right to work.
CIPESA, via a site scoped search · observed 2025-06-03 · extracted by language model
IODA detected 3 internet outage events affecting Senegal in the 7 days to 2026-09-15, with an aggregate disruption score of 4,758,964.
Georgia Tech Internet Intelligence Lab, Internet Outage Detection and Analysis · observed 2026-09-15
IODA detected 3 internet outage events affecting Senegal in the 7 days to 2026-09-13, with an aggregate disruption score of 4,758,964.
Georgia Tech Internet Intelligence Lab, Internet Outage Detection and Analysis · observed 2026-09-13
IODA detected 3 internet outage events affecting Senegal in the 7 days to 2026-09-12, with an aggregate disruption score of 4,758,964.
Georgia Tech Internet Intelligence Lab, Internet Outage Detection and Analysis · observed 2026-09-12
IODA detected 3 internet outage events affecting Senegal in the 7 days to 2026-09-10, with an aggregate disruption score of 4,758,964.
Georgia Tech Internet Intelligence Lab, Internet Outage Detection and Analysis · observed 2026-09-10
IODA detected 1 internet outage event affecting Senegal in the 7 days to 2026-09-09, with an aggregate disruption score of 847.
Georgia Tech Internet Intelligence Lab, Internet Outage Detection and Analysis · observed 2026-09-09
Report an inaccuracy (corrections need a link to the reporting, statute or research that shows it).
7 excluded sources
- Premium Times feed, observed 2023-07-01: aged out after 3 years.
- Committee to Protect Journalists, via a site scoped search, observed 2024-02-13: aged out after 3 years.
- CIPESA, via a site scoped search, observed 2024-02-28: aged out after 3 years.
- Committee to Protect Journalists, via a site scoped search, observed 2024-02-05: aged out after 3 years.
- Premium Times feed, observed 2024-02-14: aged out after 3 years.
- Premium Times feed, observed 2024-02-06: aged out after 3 years.
- Paradigm Initiative, via a site scoped search, observed 2021-07-01: aged out after 5 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)
Some restrictions. In Senegal, the free use of encryption is subject to restrictions on the strength of encryption. The use of encryption above a certain key length requires authorisation by the National Cryptology Commission (NCC).
Global Partners Digital, World Map of Encryption Laws and Policies · observed 2019-06-01
V-Dem Digital Society Project 2025 scored SEN 2.44 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 recorded no confirmed blocking across 24,249 measurements of anonymity and censorship circumvention tools in SEN over the 90 days to 2026-10-16, with 536 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 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 SEN 2 of 4 on due process in civil and criminal matters.
Freedom House, Freedom in the World · observed 2026-01-01
Senegal - Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
US Department of State, Travel Advisories · observed 2025-12-01 · written for USA nationals
FCDO advice for Senegal: no advisory against travel in force.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Foreign travel advice · observed 2026-10-15 · written for GBR nationals
Senegal: Exercise a high degree of caution
Global Affairs Canada, Travel advice and advisories · observed 2026-10-15 · written for CAN nationals
Senegal: No travel warning in force
Auswärtiges Amt, Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise · observed 2026-09-14 · written for DEU nationals
Report an inaccuracy (corrections need a link to the reporting, statute or research that shows it).
Trend
The overall score is up 3.9 points over 61 days, from 35.2 to 39.1. 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 Senegal. 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; CIPESA, via a site scoped search; 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; MyJoyOnline, via a site scoped search; Open Observatory of Network Interference, OONI measurement data; TechAfrica News, 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.