It is reported that the telecommunications sector is open to competition, except for fixed lines and international carrier services, which remain under State monopoly with the "Compañía Paraguaya de Comunicaciones". This is despite full foreign ownership being allowed in the telecommunications sector. In December 2001, as part of the process of “Reorganization of decentralized Public Entities, of reform and modernization of Central Administration Organizations”, provided for by Law 1615/2000, the National Telecommunications Administration (ANTELCO) changed its name to Compañía Paraguaya de Comunicaciones Sociedad Anónima (Copaco S. A.), becoming a 100% state-owned company.

Pursuant to Art. 11(b) of Resolution No. 049/2025 de minimis threshold, that is the minimum value of goods below which customs do not charge duties, is PAB 100 (approx. USD 100), below the 200 USD threshold recommended by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC).

Law No. 45 and Executive Decree No. 24 provide a comprehensive framework for consumer protection that also applies to online transactions. Law No. 45 regulates consumer relations and specifies consumer rights, including suppliers' responsibilities to consumers. Executive Decree No. 24 also provides provisions applicable to technological storage services and commercial services through the Internet.

Panama has signed but not ratified the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts.

Panama has not adopted national legislation based on or influenced by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Model Law on Electronic Signatures.

Under Art. 5 of Law No. 81/2019, the transfer of personal data of a confidential, sensitive or restricted nature by the company responsible for the database or its custodian shall be permitted, provided that the company and/or its country of residence provide a level of protection comparable to that of Law No. 81; or if the transferring entity takes all necessary steps to ensure that the data will be protected in a manner consistent with the Law No. 81 through contracts, codes of conduct or applicable international standards. Art. 5 lists the following exemptions: when the data subject has given their consent; in the case of bank, money, stock market or securities transfers; when the transfer of the information is required by law or in order to comply with international treaties ratified by the Republic of Panama; and when the transfer is necessary for the conclusion or execution of a contract concluded or to be celebrated by the interested party or in their interest.

Panama has committed to covering cross-border data flow in the Free Trade Agreement between the United Mexican States and the Republic of Panama (Art. 14.10).

The Personal Data Protection Law provides a comprehensive data protection regime. The law applies to any person in charge of data processing who is domiciled in Panama and to any foreign companies' ongoing commercial online activities targeting the Panamanian market.

According to Articles 2, 3 and 6 of Law No. 51 of 2009, telecommunications service providers and other covered communications service providers established in Panama are required to retain certain subscriber, traffic and location data generated in the provision of their services for six months. The data covered includes information identifying users, telephone numbers, IP addresses, the date and time of Internet connections, the origin and destination of communications, their date, time and duration, the type of communication or service used, mobile-device identifiers such as IMSI and IMEI, and the geographic location of the cell from which a mobile communication originated. Pursuant to Art. 6, upon request by a judicial authority concerning specific data, the retention period may be extended for up to an additional six months. Art. 7 provides that these obligations do not authorise the interception, recording or access to the content of communications.

Law No. 51/2008 establishes a safe harbour regime for intermediaries for copyright infringements. Arts. 88-91 of the Law provides a safe harbour that shields network operators, service providers, online trade service providers and storage service providers from responsibility. In addition, a safe harbour provision forms a substantial part of the intellectual property chapter in the FTA entered into between the United States of America and Panama (Art. 15.11, para. 27).

Law No. 51/2008 establishes a safe harbour regime for intermediaries beyond copyright infringement. Arts. 88-91 of the Law provides a safe harbour that shields network operators, service providers, online trade service providers and storage service providers from responsibility.

Art. 4 of Law No. 51/2009 establishes that mobile telephone operators, their subsidiaries and authorised agents that commercialise services with activity systems through the prepaid card modality must keep a record of the identity or general information provided by their customers who acquire a telephone unit or smart card (SIM) with such payment modality.

It is reported that local authorities declared a state of emergency in Panama’s province of Bocas del Toro amid unrest. Following this declaration, Panama’s telecommunications regulator, the National Public Services Authority (ASEP), issued a letter on 20 June 2025 instructing telecommunications and internet service providers to suspend the provision of mobile cellular telephony and internet services in the province. The suspension was initially expected to remain in place until 25 June 2025, but the government subsequently extended the measure until 30 June 2025.

Pursuant to Art. 18 of Executive Decree No. 81/2017, the export or re-export of any goods included in Panama’s National Harmonised List requires economic operators to register with the National System for the Registration of Economic Operators and the Tracking and Inventory of Dual-Use Goods and obtain a prior licence from the competent authority. The Technical Committee for Safe Trade and Transport may exempt economic operators considered to present a low risk from the prior-licence requirement.
Under Art. 1 of Resolution No. 001/2018, Panama adopts the European Union Control List of Dual-Use Items, including its subsequent amendments, as the National Harmonised List of Dual-Use Goods of the Republic of Panama. Art. 2 makes the Technical Committee responsible for updating and disseminating the national list in accordance with the latest official EU list. The list includes controlled products, software and technology falling within categories such as electronics, computers, telecommunications and information security. Coverage depends on the technical specifications, thresholds and exemptions established for each control entry and does not extend to every product falling within those general categories (see Regulation (EU) 2021/821, which repealed and replaced Regulation (EC) No. 428/2009, as subsequently amended and implemented by Regulation (EU) No. 1232/2011 and Delegated Regulation (EU) 2018/1922).

According to the Art. 290 of Executive Decree No. 73, all the equipment that is connected to the public network or used to carry out radioelectric emissions shall be approved for its commercialisation, use and operation. The Regulatory Entity establishes the requirements to ensure adequate compliance with the technical specifications.
According to the Art. 93 of Law 23 of July 15, 1997, the General Direction of Standards and Industrial Technology (DGNTI) is the organisation responsible for technical standardisation and conformity assessment. According to the DGNTI, the document that approves a certificate of conformity shall be issued either by a certification body duly accredited under ISO/IEC 17065 or by an accreditation body with international recognition under the Multilateral Recognition Agreements of the International Accreditation Forum (IAF).
It is reported that products that use radio frequency technology require a type approval by ASEP (Autoridad Nacional de los Servicios Públicos) and certification to import and commercialise in Panama. No testing is required, but a homologation process is necessary to obtain ASEP approval. Technical documents will be reviewed and validated in the approval process. The following products are signalled as requiring ASEP approval: transceivers, personal trackers, wireless microphones, mobile phones, Radio Frequency Identification equipment, and radio alarms.