Kuwait has promulgated national legislation informed by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Model Law on Electronic Commerce, namely Law No. 20 of 2014 on Electronic Transactions.

Kuwait 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 the Regulation on the Approval of Communication Device Types, Kuwait’s conformity assessment framework aligns with the European documentation model. Pursuant to Art. 4, telecommunications equipment may be imported and placed on the Kuwaiti market provided that it satisfies the prescribed technical requirements: it must not generate electromagnetic disturbances exceeding the specified threshold, nor emit electromagnetic energy at levels that cause electromagnetic interference (EMI) in adjacent devices. In addition, Art. 6 stipulates that compliance with European Union legislation, accompanied by the requisite conformity documentation and the CE marking, may suffice for the type approval process in Kuwait. Also, Art. 8 requires applicants to submit a Declaration of Conformity (DoC), confirming that the equipment meets the relevant technical standards. Nevertheless, the Authority retains the discretionary power to request samples of telecommunications equipment for testing and examination at any stage.

It is reported that all enterprises, irrespective of their scale, from large corporations to home-based start-ups, must possess either a valid online store licence or a registered commercial licence before engaging in online sales. In addition, partners, including payment gateway providers, are legally prohibited from providing services to businesses that do not hold such licences.

According to Resolution No. 45/471 of 2023, which promulgates the Instructions Regulating the Electronic Payment of Funds, E-Payment Service Providers (EPSPs) must register and obtain approval from the Commercial Bank of Kuwait (CBK) before commencing operations. The registry includes various minimum capital requirements based on the EPSP classification, which range from KWD 50,000 (approx. USD 162,000) to KWD 250,000 (approx. USD 810,000). These requirements were already mandated under the Resolution No. 44/430 of 2018 of the Central Bank of Kuwait, which has now been repealed by this new resolution.

Banks and other financial institutions are required by the Anti-Money Laundering/Combating the Financing of Terrorism Law 106 of 2013 to retain a copy of transaction data for five years.

Pursuant to Art. 6 of the Data Privacy Protection Regulation, telecommunications service providers are required to furnish the Communications and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (CITRA) with the contact details of their designated data protection officer when notifying data breaches. Nevertheless, the Regulation does not expressly stipulate the procedures or obligations pertaining to the appointment of data protection officers as such.

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

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

It is reported that Kuwait’s SIM registration policy requires mobile network operators to collect and retain users’ personal data together with verifiable proof of identity.

In accordance with Art. 17 of Law No. 8, the manager in control of a website or electronic media outlet is responsible for any prohibited or violating content on the respective website or electronic media outlet/platform under the law. Therefore, the manager is responsible for observing accuracy and credibility in all publications of news, information or data. Electronic media is defined in Art. 1 as “activity which includes the publication or transmission of materials, activities or media services of electronic content that are produced, developed, updated, circulated, transmitted, published or penetrating it through the international information net (the internet) or any other communications net.”

Art. 4.4 of Law No. 63 of 2015 on Anti-Information Technology Crime prescribes imprisonment and a fine for anyone who establishes a website, publishes, produces, prepares, creates, sends, or stores information or data intended to be used, distributed, or displayed via the Internet or an information technology device in a manner that harms public morality, or who manages a location for such purposes. This requirement in practice can act as a monitoring requirement.

Reports indicate that Kuwait has enacted several legislative measures pertaining to the restriction or censorship of online content. Notable examples include:
- The Law No. 3/2006, which contains provisions authorising the blocking of content deemed to contravene public order, morality, or national security. Under this law, the government is empowered to restrict access to websites or other media that violate these stipulations.
- The Law No. 63 of 2015, which criminalises a broad spectrum of online activities. This legislation grants the authorities the power to block websites or digital content that infringe upon its provisions.
- The Law No. 37 of 2014, which governs the telecommunications sector in Kuwait and incorporates provisions enabling the interception or blocking of communications that breach public order, morality, or national security. This law similarly authorises the government to restrict access to websites or other online material that contravenes these requirements.
In addition, it is reported that the Communication and Information Technology Regulatory Authority (CITRA) receives requests to block online content considered contrary to the public interest, including material that violates public morals, Islamic teachings, or public order. Upon receipt of such requests, CITRA undertakes the necessary measures to restrict access to prohibited content.
Evidence suggests that the Ministry of Communications has instructed internet service providers to restrict access to sites that contravene national customs and traditions. Additionally, government filtering practices primarily target content related to LGBT issues. CITRA has reported that blocked websites include material deemed offensive to the state or detrimental to public morals. According to CITRA, such actions are typically undertaken at the request of the Public Prosecution Office or Kuwaiti State Security (KSS). In 2025, CITRA announced that Kuwait had formally prohibited access to the online gaming platform Roblox.

It is reported that online platforms in Kuwait are required to comply with advertising regulations administered by authorities such as the Kuwait Municipality, the Communication and Information Technology Regulatory Authority (CITRA), the Ministry of Commerce, and the Ministry of Information. These regulations are designed to ensure that advertising practices uphold ethical standards and conform to cultural norms. In addition, all advertisements must be in Arabic and must not contain any material considered offensive.

Law No. 8 of 2016 regulates all web-based publications, including electronic news services, bulletins, newspapers and television websites, and the like, as well as social media. Under the legislation, all these services must obtain a license from the government before they can operate. Those in existence had one year to comply with the law. According to Art. 1 of the law, electronic media is defined as any activity which includes the publication or transmission of materials, activities or media services of electronic content that are produced, developed, updated, circulated, transmitted, published or penetrating through the international information net (the internet) or any other communications net.