The Cybercrime Law prescribes severe financial and criminal sanctions against internet service providers that fail to disclose users’ digital data upon a formal governmental request. Art. 39 stipulates that any proprietor, custodian, or administrator of an information system on which a cybercrime has been committed using their infrastructure must permit the judicial police to conduct searches, seize information and information technology equipment, and obtain copies thereof. Where necessary, the judicial police may confiscate the technological apparatus employed or components thereof. The judicial police force referenced was established within the Ministry of the Interior pursuant to Art. 38 of the Law, as such, there appears to be no court order or warrant required to access personal data held by private companies.

A basic legal framework on intermediary liability for copyright infringement is absent in Syria's law and jurisprudence.

A basic legal framework on intermediary liability beyond copyright infringement is absent in Syria's law and jurisprudence.

It is reported that mobile network operators are required to collect and retain users’ personal data, along with proof of identity, for SIM registration. However, the pertinent legislative provisions could not be located.

Art. 60.b of the Law on Media stipulates that online media platforms shall bear legal responsibility, both towards third parties and before the judiciary, for the content they publish as well as for any associated user-generated comments. This can be intended as a monitoring requirement.

It is reported that cybercafé proprietors are required to monitor their customers' online activity and maintain detailed records.

Reports indicate that, during 2024, numerous sites were blocked, including platforms such as TikTok.

The indicator "7.2.4 - Government Internet shut down in practice" of the V-Dem Dataset, which measures whether the government has the technical capacity to actively make internet service cease, thus interrupting domestic access to the internet or whether the government has decided to do so, has a score of 2 in the Syrian Arab Republic for the year 2024. This corresponds to "The government shut down domestic access to the Internet several times this year."
Syria is reported to rank as the third most frequent implementer of internet shutdowns globally between 2018 and 2025, with a total of 73 recorded instances. In 2024 alone, the country reportedly imposed shutdowns on several occasions, including during periods of civil protest and purportedly to prevent academic dishonesty during examinations.

It is reported that Syria began requesting accreditation for the electronic applications sector in 2020. However, all licensing and permit requirements previously imposed on the provision of services through electronic applications were abolished in 2025.

The Arab League, of which Syria is a member, has maintained a boycott of Israeli companies and goods manufactured in Israel since its original implementation in 1948. Syria mandates participation in, or cooperation with, this international boycott. These restrictions affect the import of goods and services.
Art. 2 of Law No. 286 of 1956 establishes an import prohibition concerning Israel, stipulating that the entry, exchange, or commercial circulation of goods, commodities, and products of any description, as well as Israeli financial instruments and other transferable securities, into the territory of the Syrian Republic is forbidden, whether originating directly from Israel or arriving through indirect channels.

Chapter VII of Syria’s Law No. 12 regarding the Protection of Electronic Personal Data on the Network regulates the cross-border transfer of personal data. Art. 15 prohibits the transfer, processing, or storage of personal data to any foreign or Arab state unless the receiving jurisdiction ensures an adequate level of protection, verified and authorised by the competent authority. However, paragraph (b) of the same article permits such transfers to jurisdictions lacking equivalent safeguards under specific conditions, including the explicit consent of the data subject, the preservation of life, provision of healthcare, fulfilment of contractual obligations, compliance with judicial requirements, protection of public interest, or implementation of bilateral or multilateral agreements to which Syria is a party. Art. 16 further allows controllers or processors to share personal data with counterparts abroad, subject to prior authorisation and the fulfilment of three conditions: compatibility of operational purposes, the existence of a legitimate interest, and assurance that the foreign entity maintains legal and technical protections equivalent to those prescribed in the law’s executive regulations.

The Syrian Arab Republic has not joined any agreement with binding commitments to open transfers of data across borders.

Law No. 12 regarding the Protection of Electronic Personal Data on the Network establishes a comprehensive regime for data protection in the Syrian Arab Republic. It grants rights to data subjects and designates the authority responsible for enforcing personal data protection.

Art. 3.a.1 of the Cybercrime Law mandates that internet service providers (ISPs) retain traffic data pertaining to all subscribers for a duration specified by the competent authorities. In addition, Art. 4 of the same legislation obliges ISPs to preserve copies of both traffic data and hosted digital content.

Art. 61 of the Law on Media stipulates that online media outlets are required to retain a copy of all published content in its various forms, as well as traffic data enabling the verification of the identity of individuals contributing to such content on the network, for a period determined by the Council. These data and materials shall be subject to professional confidentiality; however, they must be disclosed to the judicial authority upon request.