Database

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LIBYA

Reported in 2021, last reported in 2025

Pillar Online sales and transactions  |  Indicator Threshold for ‘De Minimis’ rule
Lack of de minimis threshold
It is reported that Libya does not implement any de minimis threshold, which is the minimum value of goods below which customs do not charge duties.
Coverage Horizontal

LIBYA

Since September 2022

Pillar Content access  |  Indicator Licensing schemes for digital services and applications
Resolution No. 811-2022 regarding the approval of the conditions and controls for practising media activity
Art. 2.4 of Decision No. 811-2022, a license is required in the event that an audio channel or visual channel, satellite or terrestrial, affiliated with a foreign company or an entity operating outside Libya, as well as its headquarters outside Libya, wishes to open an office, branch, or activity within the Libyan state. The license requires approvals from the Foreign Media Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, approval of the Libyan Intelligence Service, and Security approval, among others. It was reported in September 2022, that, while the decision largely targets television and radio outlets, it could negatively affect the online space as many of those operators maintain an online and social media presence.
Coverage Media sector

LIBYA

Since November 2022

Pillar Quantitative trade restrictions for ICT goods and online services  |  Indicator Other import restrictions, including non-transparent/discriminatory import procedures
Regulations for the Specific Approval of Communications Devices and Equipment attached to the Resolution of the Council of Ministers of the Government of National Unity No. 985-2022 issuing the Executive Regulations for Law No. 22-2010 on Communications
قرار رقم 985 لسنة 2022 م بإصدار اللوائح التنفيذية للقانون رقم 22 لسنة 2010 م بشأن الاتصالات
Art. 4.3 of the "Regulations for the Specific Approval of Communications Devices and Equipment attached to Resolution No. 985-2022" requires obtaining a permit from the competent authorities for the import, manufacture, assembly or trade of any telecommunications equipment, which should be in accordance with the approved standards and specifications, and in coordination with the concerned security agencies.
Coverage Telecommunications equipment

LIBYA

N/A

Pillar Cross-border data policies  |  Indicator Participation in trade agreements committing to open cross-border data flows
Lack of participation in agreements with binding commitments on data flows
Libya has not joined any agreement with binding commitments to open transfers of data across borders.
Coverage Horizontal

LIBYA

N/A

Pillar Domestic data policies  |  Indicator Framework for data protection
Lack of comprehensive legal framework for data protection
Libya does not have a comprehensive regime in place for all personal data, but it has some sectoral regulations. Chapter 7 of Law No. 6-2022 on electronic transactions stipulates some general provisions for the protection of private data (Arts. 73-79).
Coverage Horizontal

LIBYA

Since October 2022

Pillar Domestic data policies  |  Indicator Requirement to allow the government to access personal data collected
Law No. 6-2022 on Electronic Transactions
قانون رقم 6 لسنة 2022 م بشأن المعاملات الإلكترونية
Art. 74 of Law No. 6-2022 allows the Government to obtain or require disclosure of personal data without a court order in the following cases:
- To obtain personal data based on an official request from investigating authorities,
- If the data is necessary for the purpose of preventing or detecting a crime or a law;
- To obtain personal data to estimate or collect any tax or duty;
- To protect the vital, urgent interest of the person.
Coverage Horizontal

LIBYA

N/A

Pillar Intermediary liability  |  Indicator Safe harbour for intermediaries for copyright infringement
Lack of intermediary liability framework in place for copyright infringements
A basic legal framework on intermediary liability for copyright infringement is absent in Libya's law and jurisprudence.
Coverage Internet intermediaries

LIBYA

N/A

Pillar Intermediary liability  |  Indicator Safe harbour for intermediaries for any activity other than copyright infringement
Lack of intermediary liability framework in place beyond copyright infringement
A basic legal framework on intermediary liability beyond copyright infringement is absent in Libya's law and jurisprudence.
Coverage Internet intermediaries

LIBYA

Reported in 2021, last reported in 2024

Pillar Intermediary liability  |  Indicator User identity requirement
Identity requirement for SIM cards
It is reported that Libya’s SIM card registration policy obliges mobile network operators to collect and retain users’ personal information together with proof of identity. To obtain and register a SIM card from either of the two principal mobile service providers, Libyana and Al-Madar, foreign nationals are required to present a copy of their passport.
Coverage Mobile network operators

LIBYA

Reported in 2023, last reported in 2024

Pillar Content access  |  Indicator Presence of Internet shutdowns
Presence of Internet shutdowns
It is reported that in October 2023, the Libyan Arab Armed Forces abruptly severed internet access in Benghazi, Libya's second-largest city, under the pretext of a military operation against a "destructive cell," effectively isolating the city from the rest of the world for over a week. A similar situation occurred in mid-September in the city of Derna following protests triggered by the collapse of dams that resulted in numerous casualties. The Libyan Arab Armed Forces imposed a four-day internet and communication shutdown in response. Additionally, recurrent internet and communications disruptions were reported in Sirte due to demonstrations during 2024.
In addition, 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 Libya for the year 2024. This corresponds to "The government shut down domestic access to the Internet several times this year."
Coverage Horizontal

LIBYA

Since January 2010, last amended in April 2023

Pillar Content access  |  Indicator Licensing schemes for digital services and applications
Law No. 23-2010 regarding Commercial Activity
قانون رقم 23 لسنة 2010 م بشأن النشاط التجاري
According to Art. 1355 of Law No. 23-2010, it is not permissible to practice any commercial activity or conduct any business within Libya except after obtaining a license. This process includes obtaining a Commercial Register certificate, registering with the Chamber of Commerce and the tax and labour departments, and then obtaining a working license. It is reported that in May 2019, the government suspended the licenses of 40 foreign firms, including Alcatel-Lucent (owned by Nokia) and Microsoft, asking for their renewal.
Coverage Horizontal

LIBYA

Reported in 2017, last reported in 2024

Pillar Telecom infrastructure & competition  |  Indicator Passive infrastructure sharing obligation
Lack of obligation to share passive infrastructure
There is no obligation for passive infrastructure sharing in Libya to deliver telecom services to end users, and it is not practised in both the mobile and fixed sectors based on commercial agreements.
Coverage Telecommunications sector

LIBYA

Reported in 2021, last reported in 2023

Pillar Telecom infrastructure & competition  |  Indicator Maximum foreign equity share for investment in the telecommunication sector
De facto FDI restriction
Foreign investors face no specific restrictions under Law No. (22) of 1378 FDP (2010 AD) on Telecommunications. However, it is reported that the fixed telecom sector is reserved exclusively for the state-owned Libyan Post Telecommunications and Information Technology Company (LPTIC). The regulatory framework defines three licensing categories in the telecommunications sector:
- Category I: Required for establishing or operating public telecom networks or infrastructure that uses national resources, such as frequency spectrum. This includes fixed and mobile networks, international communications, and any other services designated by the Authority.
- Category II: Covers public telecom services that rely on first-category networks or provide additional services using national resources (e.g., numbering) without using natural resources. Examples include ISPs, satellite communication, and value-added services.
- Category III: Applies to private telecom networks or services, either separate from or using capacity from public networks. This includes services like automated vehicle management systems, satellite-based personal communications, and importing radio equipment.
The regulator encourages private sector involvement in Category II and III services but reserves Category I fixed telecom services exclusively for the LPTIC, preventing private operators from entering this sub-sector.
Coverage Fixed-telecommunications sector

LIBYA

Since April 2005

Pillar Telecom infrastructure & competition  |  Indicator Presence of shares owned by the government in telecom companies
Decree No. 63 of 2005 establishing the Libyan Post, Telecommunications and Information Technology Company
قرار رقم 63 لسنة 2005 م بإنشاء الشركة الليبية للبريد والاتصالات وتقنية المعلومات
The Libyan government retains significant ownership in the telecommunications sector, primarily through the Libyan Post, Telecommunication and Information Technology Company (LPTIC), one of the country’s largest state-owned enterprises. Established under Art. 1 of Decree No. 63 of 2005 as a public holding company affiliated with the General Authority for Information, Documentation and Communications, LPTIC assumed control of the General Company for Post and Telecommunications, Al Madar Company, Libya Telecommunications and Technology Company, and Libyana Company pursuant to Art. 5 of the same decree. Al Madar Al Jadeed, founded in 1995 as Libya’s first mobile network operator and data provider, remains government-owned, while Libya Telecommunications and Technology Company, created in 1997, currently delivers integrated services including Internet connectivity, voice communications, hosting, and data transfer. Other entities, such as Libyana, also continue to operate under the LPTIC umbrella.
Coverage Telecommunications sector

LIBYA

N/A

Pillar Telecom infrastructure & competition  |  Indicator Functional/accounting separation for operators with significant market power
Lack of mandatory functional separation for dominant network operators
Libya does not mandate functional separation for operators with significant market power (SMP) in the telecom market. Information about accounting separation is not found.
Coverage Telecommunications sector

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