Uzbekistan
UzbekistanWhat 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: 59 (high). This leans on advice written for British nationals, and weights other issuers lower.
For Europe nationals: 59 (high). This leans on advice written for German nationals, and weights other issuers lower.
For United States nationals: 60 (high). 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, Uzbekistan requires an electronic visa, 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: 58 (high). This leans on advice written for Canadian nationals, and weights other issuers lower.
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.
For Africa nationals: 60 (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, Uzbekistan 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: 60 (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, Uzbekistan 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: 60 (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, Uzbekistan requires a visa in advance, applied for and vetted before travel. Summarised across 13 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.
For Oceania nationals: 59 (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, Uzbekistan 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 (13 sources)
Freedom House 2026 scored UZB 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 UZB 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 UZB 1.81 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 UZB 1.03 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
Uzbekistan - Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
US Department of State, Travel Advisories · observed 2026-01-26 · written for USA nationals
FCDO advice for Uzbekistan: no advisory against travel in force.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Foreign travel advice · observed 2026-03-19 · written for GBR nationals
Uzbekistan: Take normal security precautions
Global Affairs Canada, Travel advice and advisories · observed 2026-10-14 · written for CAN nationals
Uzbekistan (Usbekistan): No travel warning in force
Auswärtiges Amt, Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise · observed 2025-07-02 · written for DEU nationals
Concurrently, law enforcement has begun de facto criminalising online engagement, systematically monitoring, summoning, and threatening ordinary citizens who merely "like" or comment on human rights posts.
CIVICUS Monitor country updates · observed 2026-07-20 · extracted by language model
Other problematic legal initiatives include a 2024 law allowing authorities to designate foreign citizens as “undesirable” and bar them from entering the country if they are deemed to undermine state sovereignty or discredit the state.
CIVICUS Monitor country updates · observed 2026-07-20 · extracted by language model
In August 2025, according to media reports, Nurafshan City Court sentenced 26-year-old Tiktoker and blogger with a controversial reporting style, Valery Dyugai (‘Abdulloh’), to three years and one month in prison for insulting the President of Uzbekistan (Part 3 of Article 158 of the Criminal Code) and inciting interethnic hatred (Part 2 of Article 156 of the Criminal Code).
CIVICUS Monitor country updates · observed 2026-07-20 · extracted by language model
According to official information from the press service of the Main Directorate of Internal Affairs (GUVD) of Tashkent Region, Dyugai was arrested in Abu Dhabi and subsequently extradited to Uzbekistan on 25th March 2025.
CIVICUS Monitor country updates · observed 2026-07-20 · extracted by language model
From 20th January 2026 onwards, more than 15 social media accounts were reportedly closed and over 100 posts removed for containing criticism of Saida Mirziyoyeva and presidential policies.
CIVICUS Monitor country updates · observed 2026-07-20 · 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 confidence1 independent source
No law or enforcement action was found restricting the use of a VPN or strong encryption 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)
V-Dem Digital Society Project 2025 scored UZB 0.76 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).
Surveillance and interception
How comprehensively are communications intercepted, retained, and monitored, and is commercial spyware in use?
good confidence4 independent sources
Why this score (8 sources)
Freedom House 2026 scored UZB 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 UZB 1.20 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 UZB 1.63 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 UZB 0.28 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
Concurrently, law enforcement has begun de facto criminalising online engagement, systematically monitoring, summoning, and threatening ordinary citizens who merely "like" or comment on human rights posts.
CIVICUS Monitor country updates · observed 2026-07-20 · extracted by language model
Persons designated by the security services as “potentially disloyal”, in addition to restrictions on socio-economic rights, are regularly subjected to politically motivated pressure, including threats and surveillance.
CIVICUS Monitor country updates · observed 2026-07-20 · extracted by language model
The organisation stressed that the law, if enacted, could significantly hamper journalists’ work in a country already marked by extensive censorship and surveillance.
CIVICUS Monitor country updates · observed 2026-07-20 · extracted by language model
However, in February 2026 information emerged that during her absence from Uzbekistan, security service officers continued to show interest in Viktoriya Shashkova and were collecting information about her through neighbours.
CIVICUS Monitor country updates · observed 2026-07-20 · 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 UZB 1.63 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?
moderate confidence2 independent sourcesEvidence 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 (2 indirect sources)
ITU Global Cybersecurity Index 2024, Technical pillar: 16.22 of 20.
International Telecommunication Union, Global Cybersecurity Index · observed 2024-12-31
Freedom House scored Uzbekistan 11 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
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?
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 UZB 0 of 4 on due process in civil and criminal matters.
Freedom House, Freedom in the World · observed 2026-01-01
Uzbekistan - Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
US Department of State, Travel Advisories · observed 2026-01-26 · written for USA nationals
FCDO advice for Uzbekistan: no advisory against travel in force.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Foreign travel advice · observed 2026-03-19 · written for GBR nationals
Uzbekistan: Take normal security precautions
Global Affairs Canada, Travel advice and advisories · observed 2026-10-14 · written for CAN nationals
Uzbekistan (Usbekistan): No travel warning in force
Auswärtiges Amt, Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise · observed 2025-07-02 · written for DEU nationals
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 confidence8 independent sources
Why this score (12 sources)
V-Dem Digital Society Project 2025 scored UZB 2.41 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 UZB 1.47 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 14 confirmed and 4,917 anomalous results across 71,547 web connectivity measurements in UZB over the 30 days to 2026-10-16, a confirmed blocking rate of 0.02 percent.
Open Observatory of Network Interference, OONI measurement data · observed 2026-10-16
IODA detected 1 internet outage event affecting Uzbekistan in the 7 days to 2026-10-16, with an aggregate disruption score of 2,770.
Georgia Tech Internet Intelligence Lab, Internet Outage Detection and Analysis · observed 2026-10-16
Uzbekistan - Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
US Department of State, Travel Advisories · observed 2026-01-26 · written for USA nationals
FCDO advice for Uzbekistan: no advisory against travel in force.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Foreign travel advice · observed 2026-03-19 · written for GBR nationals
Uzbekistan: Take normal security precautions
Global Affairs Canada, Travel advice and advisories · observed 2026-10-14 · written for CAN nationals
Uzbekistan (Usbekistan): No travel warning in force
Auswärtiges Amt, Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise · observed 2025-07-02 · written for DEU nationals
On the night of 16th–17th February 2026, the Instagram account of Radio Ozodlik, which had around two million followers, was removed without prior notice and without an effective opportunity to appeal or restore the account.
CIVICUS Monitor country updates · observed 2026-07-20 · extracted by language model
The removal of the channel resulted in the temporary loss of an important information platform, including unique archival materials about human rights abuses.
CIVICUS Monitor country updates · observed 2026-07-20 · extracted by language model
Despite his age, lack of prior convictions, and the fact that he was preparing for state exams, the court imposed sweeping restrictions, including a ban on internet use, limits on movement, and deductions from future wages.
CIVICUS Monitor country updates · observed 2026-07-20 · extracted by language model
From 20th January 2026 onwards, more than 15 social media accounts were reportedly closed and over 100 posts removed for containing criticism of Saida Mirziyoyeva and presidential policies.
CIVICUS Monitor country updates · observed 2026-07-20 · 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 0.8 points over 61 days, from 57.2 to 58. 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 Uzbekistan. 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 12 sources: Auswärtiges Amt, Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise; CIVICUS Monitor country updates; 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; International Telecommunication Union, Global Cybersecurity Index; 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; 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.