El Salvador
El SalvadorWhat 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: 38 (caution). This leans on advice written for German nationals, and weights other issuers lower.
For United States nationals: 38 (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: 38 (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.
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.Adjusted by 2 percent for the relationship between Africa and this destination.For most passports in this region, El Salvador 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: 39 (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 2 percent for the relationship between Middle East and this destination.For most passports in this region, El Salvador requires an electronic visa, 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: 39 (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 2 percent for the relationship between South Asia and this destination.For most passports in this region, El Salvador 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: 39 (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 2 percent for the relationship between East and South East Asia and this destination.For most passports in this region, El Salvador 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: 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.Adjusted by 2 percent for the relationship between Oceania and this destination.For most passports in this region, El Salvador 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 confidence7 independent sources
Why this score (11 sources)
Freedom House 2026 scored SLV 2 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 SLV 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 SLV 3.46 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 SLV 1.32 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
El Salvador - Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
US Department of State, Travel Advisories · observed 2026-06-25 · written for USA nationals
FCDO advice for El Salvador: no advisory against travel in force.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Foreign travel advice · observed 2026-06-17 · written for GBR nationals
El Salvador: Exercise a high degree of caution
Global Affairs Canada, Travel advice and advisories · observed 2026-10-16 · written for CAN nationals
El Salvador: No travel warning in force
Auswärtiges Amt, Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise · observed 2026-06-26 · written for DEU nationals
For the first 15 days, authorities [didn't] need to present you before a judge; you [could] be arrested based solely on a police or military officer’s intuition.
Global Voices (Advox), via a site scoped search · observed 2025-07-07 · extracted by language model
El Salvador’s constitution prohibits political activity by foreigners.
Global Affairs Canada, Travel advice and advisories · observed 2026-10-16 · written for CAN nationals · extracted by language model
Salvadoran authorities have arrested people over social media posts.
Global Affairs Canada, Travel advice and advisories · observed 2026-08-15 · written for CAN nationals · 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?
good confidence8 independent sourcesEvidence is ageing: contributing sources are weighted at 62% of full strength.
Why this score (10 sources)
Freedom House 2026 scored SLV 2 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 SLV 2.73 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 SLV 3.94 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 SLV 0.34 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 Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has documented years of harassment against the El Faro newsroom, from Pegasus spyware surveillance and baseless money laundering accusations to smear campaigns led by government officials .
Global Voices (Advox), via a site scoped search · observed 2025-07-07 · extracted by language model
The newspaper El Faro has been a recurring target of the state apparatus: official audits, public accusations from the government, and even attempts at spying with Pegasus software .
Colombia One, via a site scoped search · observed 2025-09-29 · extracted by language model
Desde el año 2017 la Alcaldía del municipio de Santa Tecla ha desplegado cámaras con reconocimiento facial; en la misma línea, el gobierno central solicitó un préstamo para financiar su estrategia de combate a la delincuencia, en el que se incluía la compra de cámaras con tecnología de reconocimiento facial, la compra de drones para la Policía y para el Ejército, y la instalación de centros de monitoreo para ambas instituciones.
Our translation: Since 2017, the municipality of Santa Tecla has deployed facial-recognition cameras; along the same lines, the central government requested a loan to finance its crime-fighting strategy, which included the purchase of cameras with facial-recognition technology, the purchase of drones for the Police and the Army, and the installation of monitoring centres for both institutions.
Derechos Digitales, via a site scoped search · observed 2025-07-23 · extracted by language model
The statement, filed during the “The State of Exception in El Salvador: Year Five” hearing in Washington, D.C., outlines how emergency measures in the country have been used to criminalize independent journalism, restrict access to public information, and enable surveillance, legal harassment, and intimidation of reporters.
Committee to Protect Journalists, via a site scoped search · observed 2026-04-16 · extracted by language model
The report also documented a broader strategy of criminalization since 2021, including surveillance, stigmatization and prolonged pretrial detention.
The Tico Times, via a site scoped search · observed 2026-03-12 · extracted by language model
Local journalists and human rights organizations have raised concerns that Bukele, who described himself as the “ world’s coolest dictator ,” has repeatedly renewed the state of emergency in a bid to systemically silence dissent and dismantle press freedom through the harassment, intimidation, surveillance of journalists.
Committee to Protect Journalists, via a site scoped search · observed 2024-10-11 · extracted by language model
Report an inaccuracy (corrections need a link to the reporting, statute or research that shows it).
2 excluded sources
- Citizen Lab feed, observed 2021-07-01: aged out after 5 years.
- The Record feed, observed 2022-07-01: aged out after 4 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
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 SLV 0 of 4 on due process in civil and criminal matters.
Freedom House, Freedom in the World · observed 2026-01-01
El Salvador - Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
US Department of State, Travel Advisories · observed 2026-06-25 · written for USA nationals
FCDO advice for El Salvador: no advisory against travel in force.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Foreign travel advice · observed 2026-06-17 · written for GBR nationals
El Salvador: Exercise a high degree of caution
Global Affairs Canada, Travel advice and advisories · observed 2026-10-16 · written for CAN nationals
El Salvador: No travel warning in force
Auswärtiges Amt, Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise · observed 2026-06-26 · written for DEU nationals
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 confidence2 independent sourcesEvidence is ageing: contributing sources are weighted at 63% of full strength.
Why this score (2 sources)
V-Dem Digital Society Project 2025 scored SLV 3.94 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
El Salvador es uno de los pocos países en la región que aún no cuenta con una legislación específica para la protección de los Datos Personales.
Our translation: El Salvador is one of the few countries in the region that still does not have specific legislation for the protection of Personal Data.
Derechos Digitales, via a site scoped search · observed 2025-07-23 · extracted by language model
Report an inaccuracy (corrections need a link to the reporting, statute or research that shows it).
Encryption and VPN legality
Are VPNs and strong encryption lawful, and can I be required to install an application or hand over keys?
moderate confidence2 independent sourcesEvidence is ageing: contributing sources are weighted at 60% of full strength.
Why this score (2 sources)
Minimal restrictions. The law requires that network operators or providers be able to decrypt encrypted data of subscribers or clients and permits the "Interception Office" to keep a copy of recorded material that is encrypted until it can be decrypted.
Global Partners Digital, World Map of Encryption Laws and Policies · observed 2019-06-01
V-Dem Digital Society Project 2025 scored SLV 2.96 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).
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 (16 sources)
V-Dem Digital Society Project 2025 scored SLV 3.97 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 SLV 3.62 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 2,392 anomalous results across 124,317 web connectivity measurements in SLV 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
El Salvador - Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
US Department of State, Travel Advisories · observed 2026-06-25 · written for USA nationals
FCDO advice for El Salvador: no advisory against travel in force.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Foreign travel advice · observed 2026-06-17 · written for GBR nationals
El Salvador: Exercise a high degree of caution
Global Affairs Canada, Travel advice and advisories · observed 2026-10-16 · written for CAN nationals
El Salvador: No travel warning in force
Auswärtiges Amt, Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise · observed 2026-06-26 · written for DEU nationals
IODA detected 1 internet outage event affecting El Salvador in the 7 days to 2026-09-22, with an aggregate disruption score of 7,700.
Georgia Tech Internet Intelligence Lab, Internet Outage Detection and Analysis · observed 2026-09-22
IODA detected 1 internet outage event affecting El Salvador in the 7 days to 2026-09-21, with an aggregate disruption score of 7,700.
Georgia Tech Internet Intelligence Lab, Internet Outage Detection and Analysis · observed 2026-09-21
IODA detected 1 internet outage event affecting El Salvador in the 7 days to 2026-09-20, with an aggregate disruption score of 7,700.
Georgia Tech Internet Intelligence Lab, Internet Outage Detection and Analysis · observed 2026-09-20
IODA detected 1 internet outage event affecting El Salvador in the 7 days to 2026-09-19, with an aggregate disruption score of 7,700.
Georgia Tech Internet Intelligence Lab, Internet Outage Detection and Analysis · observed 2026-09-19
IODA detected 1 internet outage event affecting El Salvador in the 7 days to 2026-09-17, with an aggregate disruption score of 7,700.
Georgia Tech Internet Intelligence Lab, Internet Outage Detection and Analysis · observed 2026-09-17
IODA detected 1 internet outage event affecting El Salvador in the 7 days to 2026-09-16, with an aggregate disruption score of 7,700.
Georgia Tech Internet Intelligence Lab, Internet Outage Detection and Analysis · observed 2026-09-16
IODA detected 1 internet outage event affecting El Salvador in the 7 days to 2026-08-12, with an aggregate disruption score of 4,253.
Georgia Tech Internet Intelligence Lab, Internet Outage Detection and Analysis · observed 2026-08-12
IODA detected 2 internet outage events affecting El Salvador in the 7 days to 2026-08-11, with an aggregate disruption score of 12,957.
Georgia Tech Internet Intelligence Lab, Internet Outage Detection and Analysis · observed 2026-08-11
IODA detected 2 internet outage events affecting El Salvador in the 7 days to 2026-08-10, with an aggregate disruption score of 12,957.
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).
Network threat
How hostile is the network environment to a foreign visitor, from state actors and criminals alike?
No source currently covers this dimension for this country. That is a gap in our evidence, not a finding that the risk is low.
Trend
The overall score is up 7.6 points over 61 days, from 30.8 to 38.4. 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 El Salvador. 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; Colombia One, via a site scoped search; Committee to Protect Journalists, via a site scoped search; Derechos Digitales, 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; Global Voices (Advox), via a site scoped search; Open Observatory of Network Interference, OONI measurement data; The Tico Times, 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.