Eritrea
Africa
Age Verification Compliance Overview
This page provides comprehensive age verification and compliance information for Eritrea. Our research team continuously monitors regulatory changes, enforcement actions, and legal developments to ensure businesses have access to up-to-date compliance intelligence.
Eritrea has implemented a complete prohibition on age-restricted adult content, classified as "Banned". This ban typically includes website blocking, payment processing restrictions, and potential criminal penalties for violations. Businesses should not attempt to operate in this jurisdiction without explicit legal counsel, as enforcement may include criminal prosecution, substantial fines, and reputational damage.
The information below includes regulatory status, legal requirements, enforcement mechanisms, penalties for non-compliance, acceptable verification methods, and relevant regulatory authorities. This data is essential for platforms, content providers, and businesses that need to implement age-appropriate access controls or verify user ages.
Please note: Adult content access is currently prohibited in Eritrea. This ban may affect website accessibility, payment processing, and service availability. Businesses should consult legal counsel before operating in this jurisdiction.
Minimum Age
N/A (Banned)
Content is completely prohibited
Age Gate Required
No
No verification required
Last Verified
10/12/2025
Most recent data update
Regulatory Timeline
Historical changes and upcoming regulatory events
- Banned
Continued Internet Blackout and Censorship: Reports confirm Eritrea continues to block mobile internet access and maintain extreme internet censorship, with very low internet penetration.
- Banned
UN Working Group Finds Journalist's Detention Arbitrary: The UN Human Rights Council’s Working Group on Arbitrary Detention published an opinion finding the detention of journalist Dawit Isaak to be arbitrary.
- Banned
War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity Determination: The U.S. Secretary of State determined that the Eritrean Defense Forces committed war crimes and crimes against humanity during the conflict in northern Ethiopia.
- Banned
Occasional Internet Shutdowns in 2021: The government 'sometimes' shut down domestic internet access during 2021.
- Banned
Frequent Internet Shutdowns in 2020: The government 'often' shut down domestic internet access during 2020.
- Banned
Ranked World's Most Censored Country: The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) listed Eritrea as the world’s most censored country.
- Banned
Social Media Shutdown Reported: Social media platforms were reportedly blocked ahead of the country's Independence Day commemorations.
- Banned
Penal Code of the State of Eritrea (2015) Published: A revised Penal Code was published, but its full implementation has been pending or underway, with transitional laws still sometimes applied.
- Banned
Mobile Internet Plans Canceled: The government canceled plans to introduce mobile internet service, reportedly fearing the political impact of 'Arab Spring' uprisings.
- Banned
Proclamation No. 145/2005 (Administration of NGOs) Enacted: This proclamation restricts NGO activities to relief and/or rehabilitation works, requiring government approval, effectively limiting civil society and human rights organizations.
- Banned
All Private Media Shut Down: The government shut down all independent media outlets and arrested numerous journalists, some of whom reportedly died in custody.
- Banned
Press Proclamation No. 90/1996 Enacted: This law gives the government sweeping control over all media operations, bans private broadcast media, requires licenses for journalists, and criminalizes content not aligned with national values and security interests.
- Banned
Constitution Ratified (but not implemented): The 1997 Constitution, theoretically guaranteeing freedom of expression, was ratified by a Constituent Assembly but has never been fully implemented.
Data Sources
Legal documents and references supporting this data
Showing 5 of 20 sources
state.goveritrea
state.goveritrea
lawgratis.commedia-laws-at-eritrea
pen-international.orgeritrea-joint-oral-statement-on-the-situation-of-freedom-of-expression-in-er...
jagranjosh.comcountry-with-no-internet-connection-1820001762-1
All sources are evaluated for credibility and relevance. Primary sources indicate official legal documents and government publications. Credibility scores reflect source reliability based on jurisdiction, publication authority, and verification status.
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Regulatory Authorities
Regulator contacts will appear here as they become available.