It is reported that Cambodia requires identity verification for SIM card registration. Individuals seeking to purchase a SIM card must present a national identity card or, for foreign nationals, a passport to activate a new prepaid SIM. This requirement has reportedly existed since 2012, although its implementation remained incomplete for several years.
In August 2022, the authorities issued a final warning directing all telecommunications operators to ensure full SIM registration by 2023. This framework was subsequently formalised through Sub-Decree No. 41 on Equipment Identity Registration, issued in February 2023, which established a SIM identification registration system and a national database to support regulatory compliance.

Clause 7 of the Inter-ministerial Prakas No. 170 requires all Internet Service Providers (ISPs) operating in Cambodia to install software programs and equip themselves with Internet surveillance tools to easily filter and block any social media accounts or pages that run their business activities and/or publicise illegal activities. In addition, Clause 6 establishes that the Ministry of Information should manage information published through electronic systems, including all news content, written messages, audio, photos, videos, and/or other means, on websites and social media using the internet in the Kingdom of Cambodia.

According to Section 7 of Inter-ministerial Prakas No. 170, the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications (MPTC) may block or close websites and social media pages that disseminate content deemed illegal, including that which incites unrest or threatens national security, public interest, or social order. However, these grounds are not clearly defined. Similarly, Art. 7 of the Law on Telecommunications authorises the MPTC or other ministries to instruct telecom operators to take unspecified necessary measures in cases of "force majeure", without defining such circumstances or actions. Both provisions have been criticised for their broad scope and potential for misuse, including the restriction of internet-based services.
Moreover, news and other websites have reportedly been blocked by the Cambodian government. In April 2020, two websites owned by TVFB were reportedly blocked by the Cambodian Telecommunication Regulator (TRC) and remain inactive. In February 2023, the TRC instructed internet service providers to block access to VOD’s news sites in both English and Khmer, following the revocation of its parent organisation’s licence. In the lead-up to the July 2023 general election, access to independent outlets such as Radio Free Asia (RFA), the Cambodia Daily, and Kamnotra was also blocked, with restrictions remaining in place until the end of 2024.

Art. 27.2 of the Law on Consumer Protection mandates that any advertising must be in Khmer. Furthermore, Art. 9 of Sub-Decree No. 232 requires all commercial advertising of products and services, by any channel, to use Khmer as the primary language. If foreign-language text is used in advertisements, it must comply with the Sub-Decree rules on placement and font size to ensure the Khmer text retains its prominence. It is reported that the Khmer language requirement can be an onerous obligation for some businesses.

Art. 15 of the Law on Telecommunications provides that a license from the Telecommunication Regulator of Cambodia (TRC) and the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications (MPTC) is required for the provision of VoIP and Internet café services.

It is reported that the Telecommunication Regulator of Cambodia (TRC), the executive authority for the supervision and administration of services in the telecommunications sector, is independent from the government in the decision-making process.

Art. 99 of the Law on Telecommunications introduces sentences of six months to two years imprisonment and heavy financial penalties for “any act of producing, installing or distributing software or hidden audio recorders for recording dialogue” without approval from the authorities. It is reported that this unclear provision, which seems to require government approval for any software that can record sound, could potentially criminalise the basic use, sharing, or development of software such as smartphone apps. Additionally, the range of sound-recording hardware concerned with this provision is unclear.

According to Art. 26.1 of the E-Commerce Law, e-commerce service providers and intermediaries must obtain e-commerce permits or licenses from the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) in addition to the general business registration. According to Art 26.2, the licensing regime has two categories: (1) an e-commerce permit (for individual persons and sole proprietorships) and (2) an e-commerce license (for legal persons and branches of foreign companies). In August 2020, Cambodia issued Sub-Decree No. 134, an implementing regulation of the E-Commerce Law, clarifying that a license is required for legal persons and branches of foreign companies carrying out the following activities: e-commerce web services, e-commerce platform services, online market services, online auction website services, and other similar services provided through software or smart devices for the promotion of e-commerce (Art. 5.1). In addition, pursuant to Art. 5.2 of the Sub-Decree, an E-Commerce permit is required for natural persons and sole proprietors that operate a business via an electronic system in Cambodia (including those who conduct business via social media and electronic systems to supply or sell/purchase goods and services).
According to Arts. 6 and 7 of Sub-Decree No. 134, for issuance of an e-commerce license or permit, business and tax registration is required. Art. 29 of the e-Commerce Law also requires the provision of the business entity's name, registered address, and contact number or email address in Cambodia. Moreover, Art. 7 of the Sub-Decree also states that, in cases where the intermediary is a legal entity or foreign branch, it must enter into a contract with the service providers regarding the requirement to provide minimum information.
The E-Commerce Law broadly defines e-commerce service providers and intermediaries (Annex). An e-commerce service provider is defined as a "person who uses electronic means to supply goods and/or services except for insurance establishments". On the other hand, intermediary "refers to a person who provides the services of sending, receiving, transmitting or storing services of the electronic communication, either on a temporary or permanent basis, or provides other services relating to the electronic communication, including the following persons: a person representing the sender, receiver, transmitter, or the custodian; telecommunication service providers; network service providers; internet service providers; search engines providers; online payment service providers; online auction service providers; online marketplaces service providers and internet commerce service provider".

Art. 116 of the Law on the Patents, Utility Model Certificates and Industrial Designs states that where an applicant’s ordinary residence or principal place of business is outside the Kingdom of Cambodia, the applicant shall be represented by an agent residing and practising in the Kingdom of Cambodia and fulfilling the prescribed requirements. In addition, it is reported that Cambodia’s patent authority lacks sufficient funding and expertise to examine patent applications.

Art. 43 of the Law on Patents, Utility Model Certificates and Industrial Designs establishes that the patent owner may institute court proceedings against any infringer or anyone who performs acts that make infringement likely. Upon request of the patent owner, or by a licensee in certain circumstances, a court may grant an injunction to prevent infringement or imminent infringement, award damages, or any other remedy provided for by law (Art. 126). However, Art. 47 states that the Cambodian Government has the right to exploit a patented invention itself, or allow third parties to do so, for the purpose of promoting ‘public interests’, including national defence, nutrition, health and development.

Cambodia is a party to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).

Cambodia has a copyright regime under the Law on Copyright and Related Rights. However, the exceptions do not follow the fair use or fair dealing model, therefore limiting the lawful use of copyrighted work by others. Section 4 lists the exceptions, which include: free and private representations made exclusively to a close circle of people, such as family or friends; the purposes of education, which is not for financial gain; translation of works from the Khmer language into the languages of the ethnic minorities or vice versa; among others (Arts. 23-29).

It is reported that Copyright is not adequately enforced online in Cambodia. Signal and cable piracy reportedly persist at high levels, and online platforms offering pirated music, films, e-books, software, and television shows remain widely used.

Cambodia has not signed the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Copyright Treaty.

Cambodia has not signed the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Performances and Phonograms Treaty.