Syria
Asia
Age Verification Compliance Overview
This page provides comprehensive age verification and compliance information for Syria. Our research team continuously monitors regulatory changes, enforcement actions, and legal developments to ensure businesses have access to up-to-date compliance intelligence.
Syria 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 Syria. 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
Censorship lifted with the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad: The censorship was lifted as the Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad was overthrown by rebels, marking the end of the Ba'athist Syria context for extensive internet censorship.
- Banned
Ministry of Information announces collaboration to stifle digital platforms: The Syrian Ministry of Information announced its decision to collaborate with the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Justice to monitor 'unlicensed' digital platforms and take legal action against them for publishing 'indecent content' or 'offending national constants'.
- Banned
Law No. (12) for the year 2024 promulgated: President Bashar al-Assad promulgated Law No. (12) for the year 2024, focused on safeguarding electronic personal data within the digital sphere.
- Banned
Law No. 20 of 2022 (Cybercrime Law) effective: Law No. 20 of 2022, relative to cybercrime, entered into force one month after its issuance.
- Banned
Law No. 20 of 2022 (Cybercrime Law) issued: Syrian President Bashar al-Assad issued Law No. 20 of 2022, reorganizing criminal legal rules governing digital crime and repealing Legislative Decree No. 17 of 2012.
- Banned
Blocking of 160 pornographic websites: Syria's telecommunication regulatory authority issued orders to internet service providers to prevent users from viewing 160 porn sites.
- Banned
Syria's Internet cut off: Syria's Internet was cut off again, one of more than ten times in 2013 and 2014.
- Banned
Syrian Internet blackout: A nineteen-hour Internet blackout occurred across Syria, with mobile phone and telephone services also affected.
- Banned
Almost all Internet connectivity cut off: Almost all Internet connectivity between Syria and the outside world was cut off, coinciding with intense rebel activity.
- Banned
Internet access cut off for 40 minutes: Internet access from Syria via the state carrier was cut off for a period of 40 minutes.
- Banned
Pro-Syrian-government malware campaigns increased: Malware campaigns targeting Syrian activists increased in frequency and sophistication.
- Banned
US firm's gear used for censorship: US-based Blue Coat Systems acknowledged that Syria was using its devices to censor Web activity, a possible violation of US trade embargoes.
- Banned
The-syrian.com blocked: The website the-syrian.com, dedicated to freedom of speech, was blocked from within Syria.
- Banned
Country's Internet network shut down: The government shut down the country's Internet network, coinciding with massive protests.
- Banned
YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter unblocked: Syria temporarily stopped filtering YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter.
- Banned
Counter-Terrorism Law No.19 of 2011 enacted: This law was enacted and used to suppress freedom of expression, classifying it as promoting terrorist acts.
- Banned
Arabic Wikipedia blocked: The Arabic Wikipedia was blocked from within Syria.
- Banned
Journalist sentenced for online article: Syrian journalist Waed al-Mahna was sentenced to imprisonment via absentia over an online article criticizing the Syrian Ministry of Culture.
- Banned
Facebook blocked: Facebook was blocked, with the government explaining it promoted attacks on authorities.
- Banned
YouTube blocked: YouTube was blocked after videos circulated denouncing the crackdown on the Kurd minority.
- Banned
Law on Internet Cafe Monitoring: The Syrian government enacted a law forcing Internet cafes to keep records of all online comments posted by users in chat forums, as well as their browsing habits.
- Banned
Syrian jailed for internet usage: A Syrian citizen was jailed for internet usage, highlighting early enforcement against online activities.
Data Sources
Legal documents and references supporting this data
Showing 5 of 8 sources
stj-sy.orgsyria-ministry-of-information-stifles-digital-platforms-citing-indecent-content-offendi...
stj-sy.orgsyria-cybercrime-law-is-an-additional-tool-for-suppressing-freedom-of-expression
indexoncensorship.orgsyria-passes-draconian-cybercrime-laws
newarab.comsyria-regime-blocks-internet-porn-amid-bloody-civil-war
syrianobserver.comsyria-today-assad-passes-new-cybercrime-law-hrw-report-on-turkish-occupied-safe...
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.