Uzbekistan

Draft Law 'On the Protection of User Rights on Online Platforms and Websites' Published: A proposed law signaling a shift from full-scale blocking to court-ordered throttling of access speed for online platforms that consistently fail to cooperate with the government body. It also addresses anonymous profiles and cybercrime.

Direct International Internet Connection for ISPs/Mobile Operators: President Mirziyoyev issued an order allowing ISPs and mobile operators to directly connect to the international internet in full compliance with security and cybersecurity requirements, starting in January 2025.

New Law Enhancing Protection for Children Against Violence Approved: A new law was signed, expanding definitions of violence against children and introducing stricter measures, protective orders, and support mechanisms. It will take effect in six months.

Blogger Olimjon Khaydarov Sentenced: Blogger Olimjon Khaydarov was sentenced to eight years in prison on charges of extortion, slander, and insult, with all his blogs on social media channels ordered blocked.

Blogger Shabnam Ollashukurova Sentenced: Blogger Shabnam Ollashukurova was sentenced to three years of limited freedom and banned from using the internet on charges of 'slander' and 'insult'.

Blogger Abduqodir Muminov Sentenced: Blogger Abduqodir Muminov was sentenced to over seven years in prison after publishing an article critical of President Mirziyoyev’s sons-in-law.

Draft Information Code Released: The AIMK released a draft Information Code, which aims to amend existing legislation, criminalize 'insulting' content, and hold bloggers liable for 'unverified information'.

Partial Unblocking of Social Media: Twitter, VKontakte, and WeChat were unblocked; TikTok remained inaccessible.

Internet Shutdown in Karakalpakstan: The government restricted internet access ahead of and during protests in Karakalpakstan, claiming it would prevent the spread of 'fake news'.

Law on Cybersecurity Passed: The law requires operators of 'critical facilities' to implement government cybersecurity guidelines, retain data for at least three months, and grant the DXX access to cybersecurity systems.

Temporary Blocking of Major Social Media Platforms: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Odnoklassniki, Telegram, and YouTube were briefly blocked for personal data law violations; access was restored the same day, and the head of Uzkomnazorat was fired.

Social Media Platforms Blocked: Uzkomnazorat restricted access to Skype, Twitter, TikTok, VKontakte, and WeChat for violating amendments to the personal data law.

Personal Data Localization Requirement Effective: Amendments to the Law on Personal Data came into effect, requiring companies to store the personal data of Uzbek citizens on servers located within Uzbekistan and registered with Uzkomnazorat.

Administrative and Criminal Codes Amended (Insulting President, Calls for Violence): Stipulated that insulting or slandering the president online or in the press is punishable with up to five years’ imprisonment. 'Public calls for riots and violence against citizens' punishable by five to ten years imprisonment.

Administrative and Criminal Codes Amended: Introduced fines and prison time for a range of online speech offenses, including 2-3 years imprisonment for publishing 'false allegations' threatening public order or security.

Resolution No. 707 Amended: Gave AIMK’s Center of Mass Communications the authority to order bloggers, website owners, social media companies, and messaging applications to remove 'prohibited' content within 24 hours.

Criminal Code Amendments (Article 244.5): Enacted amendments penalizing the dissemination of 'false information' regarding infectious diseases or quarantine via mass media or the internet with up to three years’ imprisonment.

IMEI Code Registration Obligatory: Individuals became obligated to register their mobile devices’ International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) codes with the state; service providers must block unregistered devices.

Law on Personal Data Signed: President signed the Law on Personal Data, unifying regulations concerning the collection and processing of personal data, with exceptions for state security.

Internet Governance Reorganization Decree: President signed a decree creating Uzkomnazorat (to oversee ICT legislation compliance), the Technical Assistance Center (for data collection/analysis), and an entity for the Safe City surveillance system.

Resolution on Blocking Internet Resources Signed: Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov signed a resolution detailing reasons and procedures for banning internet resources that contain prohibited material, including pornography, extremism, and separatism.

Law 'On the Protection of Children from Information Harmful to Their Health and Development' effective: This law defines categories of information harmful to children (including sexually explicit content) and outlines measures to protect minors from such information.

Criminal Code Amendments (Article 244.1): Increased penalty for dissemination through 'mass media or telecommunications networks' of 'information or materials' that threaten public security and order (including religious extremism, separatism, fundamentalism) to up to eight years' imprisonment.

Amendments to Law on Informatization: Bloggers and other online news providers, including citizen journalists, brought under state regulation and subjected to content removal requirements.

SORM Implementation: National Security Service (MXX) began conducting electronic surveillance of the national telecommunications network using the Russian-designed System for Operational Investigative Measures (SORM).

Order No. 216 on Internet Access in Public Points of Use: ISPs and operators prohibited from disseminating information calling for violent overthrow of constitutional order, instigating war/violence, containing pornography, or degrading human dignity.