KYRGYZ REPUBLIC
Reported in 2022, last reported in 2024
Pillar Content access |
Indicator Restrictions on online advertising
Limitation on advertising
It is reported that there is a mandatory requirement for all advertisements to be in the Kyrgyz language. Due to the widespread use of the Russian language, however, companies usually advertise in both languages.
Coverage Advertising sector
KYRGYZ REPUBLIC
Reported in 2023, last reported in 2024
Pillar Quantitative trade restrictions for ICT goods and online services |
Indicator Import ban applied on ICT goods or online services
Ban on TikTok
In August 2023, Kyrgyzstan's Ministry of Culture, Information, Sports and Youth Policy issued a directive to block TikTok, citing concerns over its impact on children's mental health and development. The ministry highlighted the platform's lack of effective age restrictions and the potential for children to imitate dangerous behaviors seen in short videos. Following this directive, the Ministry of Digital Development enforced the ban, and by April 2024, access to TikTok was largely restricted across mobile networks, though some fixed-line providers still allowed access. As of 2025, TikTok remains inaccessible in the country.
Coverage TikTok
KYRGYZ REPUBLIC
Since April 2015, last amended in July 2025
Pillar Quantitative trade restrictions for ICT goods and online services |
Indicator Other import restrictions, including non-transparent/discriminatory import procedures
Decision No. 30 of the Eurasian Economic Commission Board "On Measures of Non-tariff regulation" (Решение Коллегии Евразийской экономической комиссии от 21 апреля 2015 г. N 30 "О мерах нетарифного регулирования")
Appendix No. 2 to the Decision of the Board of the Eurasian Economic Commission No. 30 of 21 April 2015 (“On Measures of Non-Tariff Regulation”) sets out the Union-wide list of goods restricted for import into the customs territory of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), including the Kyrgyz Republic. The list includes, among others, (i) radio-electronic and high-frequency equipment for civilian use—devices for transmitting or receiving voice, images, or data (e.g., headings in HS 8471, 8517–8519, 8521, 8525–8528, 8531, and certain Chapter 90 items); (ii) systems and receivers for technical radio monitoring and for detecting sources of electromagnetic emissions (e.g., HS 8526–8527); and (iii) encryption (cryptographic) means, including computing machines and parts with cryptographic functions, computer devices incorporating encryption, and standalone cryptographic software (selected subheadings of HS 8471/8473 and 8523).
Coverage Telecom and cryptographic equipment
KYRGYZ REPUBLIC
Since December 2019, last amended in December 2023
Since March 1998, last amended in August 2023
Since March 1998, last amended in August 2023
Pillar Telecom infrastructure & competition |
Indicator Licensing restrictions to operate in the telecom market
Regulation on Licensing of Activities in the Field of Electric and Postal Communications, approved by Government Resolution No. 746 (ЖОБО Электр жана почта байланышы жаатындагы ишти лицензиялоо жөнүндө. № 746 токтомуна)
Law of the Kyrgyz Republic No. 31 on Electric Communication (КЫРГЫЗ РЕСПУБЛИКАСЫНЫН МЫЙЗАМЫ No. 31 Электр байланышы жөнүндө)
Law of the Kyrgyz Republic No. 31 on Electric Communication (КЫРГЫЗ РЕСПУБЛИКАСЫНЫН МЫЙЗАМЫ No. 31 Электр байланышы жөнүндө)
The Regulation on Licensing of Activities in the Field of Electric and Postal Communications governs the procedure for issuance, reissuance, suspension, renewal and cancellation of licenses for activities in the field of electronic communications. The regime is generally non-discriminatory although the licensing regime for Kyrgyztelecom Open Joint Stock Company (Kyrgyz Telecom OJSC) has some potentially restrictive obligations contained in Law No. 31 on Electric Communication. Art. 13 of this law designates Kyrgyz Telecom OJSC as a national telecommunications operator and provider of public telecommunications services and defines obligations and rights that Kyrgyz Telecom's licence must contain. Among these are the obligation to: (i) provide public telecommunications services to any person in any part of the Kyrgyz Republic where it is technically or economically possible and to justify the refusal or inability to provide services; (ii) develop a public telecommunications network; and (iii) manage national long-distance and international telecommunications services. The licence must also establish a procedure for regulating prices for the use of networks and services provided by Kyrgyz Telecom on an exclusive basis. While Kyrgyz Telecom is currently a state-owned enterprise, Art. 16 extends these obligations also to private entities that would participate in the privatisation of Kyrgyz Telecom or other public telecommunications network operator or public telecommunications service provider owned or controlled by the state.
Coverage Telecommunications sector
KYRGYZ REPUBLIC
Since April 1999
Pillar Telecom infrastructure & competition |
Indicator Signature of the WTO Telecom Reference Paper
WTO Telecom Reference Paper
The Kyrgyz Republic has appended the World Trade organization (WTO) Telecom Reference Paper to its schedule of commitments.
Coverage Telecommunications sector
KYRGYZ REPUBLIC
N/A
Pillar Telecom infrastructure & competition |
Indicator Presence of an independent telecom authority
Lack of an independent telecom authority
The Ministry of Digital Development's Service for the Regulation and Supervision of the Communications Sector is the telecommunications authority of the Kyrgyz Republic. It is reported that its decision-making process is not independent of the government.
Coverage Telecommunications sector
Sources
- https://web.archive.org/web/20250310122952/https://datahub.itu.int/data/?i=100088&s=3109&e=KGZ
- https://freedomhouse.org/country/kyrgyzstan/freedom-net/2023
- https://web.archive.org/web/20240703104421/https://docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages/SS/directdoc.aspx?filename=q:/WT/TPR/S411R1.pdf&Open=True
- https://cbd.minjust.gov.kg/42
- Show more...
KYRGYZ REPUBLIC
Since April 2008, last amended in November 2021
Pillar Cross-border data policies |
Indicator Conditional flow regime
Law of the Kyrgyz Republic of 14 April 2008 No. 58 on Personal Information (КЫРГЫЗ РЕСПУБЛИКАСЫНЫН МЫЙЗАМЫ Жеке мүнөздөгү маалымат жөнүндө 2008-жылдын 14-апрелиндеги № 58)
Pursuant to Art. 25 of the Law No. 58 on Personal Information, the cross-border transfer of personal data is permitted in the case where a personal data holder located within the Kyrgyz jurisdiction transfers such databases on the basis of an international agreement between the parties, according to which the receiving party provides an adequate level of protection of the rights and freedoms of personal data subjects. If a certain country does not provide an adequate level of protection of personal data, personal data may be transferred in the following cases:
- with the consent of a data subject for such transfer;
- where such a transfer is necessary for the protection of a data subject's interest; or
- where personal data is contained in a publicly available array of personal data.
It should be emphasized that in the case of transferring personal data via the internet, the personal data holder transferring such data shall ensure that data is transferred with the necessary means of protection.
- with the consent of a data subject for such transfer;
- where such a transfer is necessary for the protection of a data subject's interest; or
- where personal data is contained in a publicly available array of personal data.
It should be emphasized that in the case of transferring personal data via the internet, the personal data holder transferring such data shall ensure that data is transferred with the necessary means of protection.
Coverage Horizontal
KYRGYZ REPUBLIC
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
The Kyrgyz Republic has not joined any agreement with binding commitments to open transfers of data across borders.
Coverage Horizontal
KYRGYZ REPUBLIC
Since April 2008, last amended in November 2021
Pillar Domestic data policies |
Indicator Framework for data protection
Law of the Kyrgyz Republic of 14 April 2008 No. 58 on Personal Information (КЫРГЫЗ РЕСПУБЛИКАСЫНЫН МЫЙЗАМЫ Жеке мүнөздөгү маалымат жөнүндө 2008-жылдын 14-апрелиндеги № 58)
Law No. 58 on Personal Information provides a comprehensive regime of data protection in the Kyrgyz Republic. The Law provides general requirements for data controllers and processors. There is not yet a data protection authority and thus there has yet to be any enforcement action related to the data protection or further guidance on compliance.
Coverage Horizontal
Sources
- https://web.archive.org/web/20230514222014/http://cbd.minjust.gov.kg/act/view/ru-ru/202269/20?cl=ky-kg&mode=tekst
- https://www.dataguidance.com/jurisdiction/kyrgyzstan
- https://www.dataguidance.com/notes/krygyzstan-data-transfers
- https://web.archive.org/web/20240224114606/https://unctad.org/page/cyberlaw-tracker-country-detail?country=kg
- Show more...
KYRGYZ REPUBLIC
Since June 2014, last amended in November 2022
Pillar Domestic data policies |
Indicator Minimum period for data retention
Instruction on the Procedure for Interaction of Telecommunication Operators and Mobile Cellular Operators with State Bodies of the Kyrgyz Republic Carrying Out Operational-Search Activities (НУСКАМА Электр байланышынын операторлорунун жана мобилдүү уюктук байланыштын операторлорунун изин суутпай издөө ишин жүзөгө ашырган Кыргыз Республикасынын мамлекеттик органдары менен өз ара аракетинин тартиби жөнүндө)
Section 15 of the "Instruction on the Procedure for Interaction of Telecommunication Operators and Mobile Cellular Operators with State Bodies of the Kyrgyz Republic Carrying Out Operational-Search Activities" requires ISPs and mobile service providers to store subscribers’ metadata for up to three years.
Coverage ISPs and mobile service providers
KYRGYZ REPUBLIC
Reported in 2018, last reported in 2024
Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) |
Indicator Enforcement of copyright online
Lack of effective enforcement of copyright
Copyright is not adequately enforced online in the Kyrgyz Republic. It is reported that IPR enforcement is lax and there have been no successful prosecution for IPR violations in the history of the Kyrgyz Republic. It is also reported that the judicial system remains underdeveloped and lacks independence and the appeals process can be lengthy.
Coverage Horizontal
KYRGYZ REPUBLIC
Since September 1998, entry into force in March 2002
Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) |
Indicator Adoption of the WIPO Copyright Treaty
WIPO Copyright Treaty
Kyrgyz Republic has ratified the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Copyright Treaty.
Coverage Horizontal
KYRGYZ REPUBLIC
Since May 2002, entry into force in August 2002
Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) |
Indicator Adoption of the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty
WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty
Kyrgyz Republic has ratified the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Performances and Phonograms Treaty.
Coverage Horizontal
KYRGYZ REPUBLIC
Since March 1998, last amended in August 2018
Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) |
Indicator Mandatory disclosure of business trade secrets such as algorithms or source code
Law of the Kyrgyz Republic No. 27 about Trade Secrets (КЫРГЫЗ РЕСПУБЛИКАСЫНЫН МЫЙЗАМЫ 1998-жылдын 30-арты N 27 Коммерциялык сыр жөнүндө)
Art. 11.2 of the Law No. 27 of the Kyrgyz Republic states that State control and law enforcement bodies have the right to familiarise themselves with the information considered to be commercial secrets within the limits of their competence in accordance with the powers of control and supervision granted to them by law. Access to commercial secrets is provided to the financial intelligence agency in accordance with the laws of the Kyrgyz Republic in the field of combating the financing of terrorist activity and the legalisation (laundering) of criminal proceeds.
Nevertheless, Art. 11.3 and 11.4 establish that obtaining documents containing information considered to be commercial secrets shall be carried out only with the sanction of the prosecutor or his/her deputy and in accordance with the procedure agreed with the head of the relevant institution. Obtaining documents is carried out according to the investigator's decision. Officials of these bodies shall be held liable as provided by law for disclosing information constituting a commercial secret of an economic entity.
Nevertheless, Art. 11.3 and 11.4 establish that obtaining documents containing information considered to be commercial secrets shall be carried out only with the sanction of the prosecutor or his/her deputy and in accordance with the procedure agreed with the head of the relevant institution. Obtaining documents is carried out according to the investigator's decision. Officials of these bodies shall be held liable as provided by law for disclosing information constituting a commercial secret of an economic entity.
Coverage Horizontal
KYRGYZ REPUBLIC
Since March 1998, last amended in August 2018
Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) |
Indicator Effective protection covering trade secrets
Law of the Kyrgyz Republic No. 27 about Trade Secrets (КЫРГЫЗ РЕСПУБЛИКАСЫНЫН МЫЙЗАМЫ 1998-жылдын 30-арты N 27 Коммерциялык сыр жөнүндө)
Law No. 27 of the Kyrgyz Republic provides a framework for the effective protection of trade secrets.
Coverage Horizontal
