CAMBODIA
N/A
Pillar Online sales and transactions |
Indicator UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Signatures
Lack of adoption of UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Signatures
Cambodia has not adopted national legislation based on or influenced by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Model Law on Electronic Signatures.
Coverage Horizontal
CAMBODIA
Since December 2023, entry into force in May 2024
Pillar Quantitative trade restrictions for ICT goods and online services |
Indicator Other import restrictions, including non-transparent/discriminatory import procedures
Sub-Decree No. 370 on the Enforcement of the List of Prohibited and Restricted Goods
Pursuant to Annex 5 of Sub-Decree No. 370 on the Enforcement of the List of Prohibited and Restricted Goods, the importation of used computers is restricted and is permitted only with authorisation from the Ministry of Environment.
Coverage Used computer
CAMBODIA
Since December 2015
Since July 2017
Since July 2017
Pillar Quantitative trade restrictions for ICT goods and online services |
Indicator Other import restrictions, including non-transparent/discriminatory import procedures
Law on Telecommunications (ច្បាប់ ស្តីពី ទូរគមនាគមន៍)
Sub-Decree No.110 on Granting Permit for Information and Communication Technology Operations (អនុក្រឹត្យលេខ ១១០ អនក្រ.បក ចុះថ្ងៃទី ២១ កក្កដា ២០១៧ ស្តីពីការផ្តល់ការអនុញ្ញាតបំពេញប្រតិបត្តិការលើវិស័យបច្ចេកវិទ្យាគមនាគមន៍និងព័ត៌មាន)
Sub-Decree No.110 on Granting Permit for Information and Communication Technology Operations (អនុក្រឹត្យលេខ ១១០ អនក្រ.បក ចុះថ្ងៃទី ២១ កក្កដា ២០១៧ ស្តីពីការផ្តល់ការអនុញ្ញាតបំពេញប្រតិបត្តិការលើវិស័យបច្ចេកវិទ្យាគមនាគមន៍និងព័ត៌មាន)
According to Art. 15 of the Law on Telecommunications, any person may apply to the Telecommunication Regulator of Cambodia (TRC) for a permit to engage in the importation, exportation, supply, and distribution of telecommunications equipment. Under Art. 16, individuals may also apply to the TRC for a certificate to act as a Qualified Agent (QA) for the import of such equipment.
In addition, under Art. 7 of Sub-Decree No. 110, individuals intending to import, supply, or distribute computer instruments and electronic devices equipped with ICT technology or software must obtain an operational certificate from the General Department of ICT. If the equipment is classified as restricted under Sub-Decree No. 370, an additional import permit is required and must be obtained via the National Single Window online system.
The TRC is the competent authority responsible for issuing licences, certificates, and permits in the telecommunications sector. This includes QA certificates for the import, supply, and distribution of telecommunications and ICT equipment, as well as import permits for items included in the restricted goods list.
In addition, under Art. 7 of Sub-Decree No. 110, individuals intending to import, supply, or distribute computer instruments and electronic devices equipped with ICT technology or software must obtain an operational certificate from the General Department of ICT. If the equipment is classified as restricted under Sub-Decree No. 370, an additional import permit is required and must be obtained via the National Single Window online system.
The TRC is the competent authority responsible for issuing licences, certificates, and permits in the telecommunications sector. This includes QA certificates for the import, supply, and distribution of telecommunications and ICT equipment, as well as import permits for items included in the restricted goods list.
Coverage Telecom equipment, computer instrument and electronic devices equipped with ICT technology or software
Sources
- https://web.archive.org/web/20200217063840/https://www.sithi.org/temp.php?title=Law-On-Telecommunications-&url=law_detail.php&lg=&id=277
- https://web.archive.org/web/20251226221718/https://asset.cambodia.gov.kh/mptc/2022/02/Sub-decree-no-110-English.pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20260305141429/https://data.opendevelopmentcambodia.net/km/dataset/5d272c32-0dd8-4e60-99f3-d21c062ae247/resource/4477cddc-6fe1-4430-8fc6-1885b28de093/download/ennnn.pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20250606141941/https://lic-public.wto.org/en/product-categories/181/legislations
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CAMBODIA
Since December 2015
Since July 2017
Since July 2017
Pillar Quantitative trade restrictions for ICT goods and online services |
Indicator Export restrictions on ICT goods or online services
Law on Telecommunications (ច្បាប់ ស្តីពី ទូរគមនាគមន៍)
Sub-Decree No.110 on Granting Permit for Information and Communication Technology Operations (អនុក្រឹត្យលេខ ១១០ អនក្រ.បក ចុះថ្ងៃទី ២១ កក្កដា ២០១៧ ស្តីពីការផ្តល់ការអនុញ្ញាតបំពេញប្រតិបត្តិការលើវិស័យបច្ចេកវិទ្យាគមនាគមន៍និងព័ត៌មាន)
Sub-Decree No.110 on Granting Permit for Information and Communication Technology Operations (អនុក្រឹត្យលេខ ១១០ អនក្រ.បក ចុះថ្ងៃទី ២១ កក្កដា ២០១៧ ស្តីពីការផ្តល់ការអនុញ្ញាតបំពេញប្រតិបត្តិការលើវិស័យបច្ចេកវិទ្យាគមនាគមន៍និងព័ត៌មាន)
According to Art. 15 of the Law on Telecommunications, any person may apply to the Telecommunication Regulator of Cambodia (TRC) for a permit to engage in the export of telecommunications equipment. Additionally, under Art. 7 of Sub-Decree No. 110, individuals intending to export computer instruments and electronic devices equipped with ICT technology or software must obtain an operational certificate from the General Department of ICT. The TRC serves as the competent authority for issuing licences, certificates, and permits in the telecommunications sector.
Coverage Telecom equipment, computer instrument and electronic devices equipped with ICT technology or software
Sources
- https://web.archive.org/web/20200217063840/https://www.sithi.org/temp.php?title=Law-On-Telecommunications-&url=law_detail.php&lg=&id=277
- https://web.archive.org/web/20260421142852/https://cambodiantr.gov.kh/en/measure/page/3/?title=certificate-of-operation-requirement-for-export-of-ict-devices
- https://web.archive.org/web/20251226221718/https://asset.cambodia.gov.kh/mptc/2022/02/Sub-decree-no-110-English.pdf
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CAMBODIA
Since April 2007, last amended in June 2018
Pillar Technical standards applied to ICT goods and online services |
Indicator Self-certification for product safety
Law on Standards of Cambodia (ច្បាប់ ស្តីពី ស្ដង់ដារកម្ពុជា)
It is required that several products sold in Cambodia obtain national certification, although this certification is often based on international standards. Foreign manufacturers must sign an agreement with the Institute of Standards of Cambodia (ISC) to obtain local certification. Any entity can apply for a license to use the ISC Certification Mark. The license has a validity of three years, which can be extended for three years at a time, subject to satisfactory operation of the license.
Coverage Horizontal
Sources
- https://web.archive.org/web/20220119201104/https://cambodiantr.gov.kh/kcfinder/upload/files/Law%20on%20Standards%20of%20Cambodia%20-%20EN.pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20171126103818/https://www.tuv-sud.com/activity/global-market-access/cambodia
- https://web.archive.org/web/20230328153855/https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/cambodia-standards-trade
- https://web.archive.org/web/20241007152649/https://www.bakc.org.kh/pdf/2007/%E1%9E%85%E1%9F%92%E1%9E%94%E1%9E%B6%E1%9E%94%E1%9F%8B%20%E1%9F%A2%E1%9F%A0%E1%9F%A0%E1%9F%A7/22.%20%E1%9E%95%E1%9F%92%E1%9E...
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CAMBODIA
Since November 2019, entry into force in May 2020
Since August 2020
Since October 2020
Since August 2020
Since October 2020
Pillar Online sales and transactions |
Indicator Licensing scheme for e-commerce providers
E-Commerce Law (ច្បាប់ស្តីពី ពាណិជ្ជកម្មតាមប្រព័ន្ធអេឡិចត្រូនិក)
Sub-Decree No. 134 on Determination of Type, Formality and Procedure of the Issuance of Permit or Licence for Intermediaries and Online Service Providers via Electronic Platform and Its Exception (អ្នកលក់ ១៣៤ អនុក្រឹត្យ ស្តីពី ការកំណត់ប្រភេទ បែបបទ និងនីតិវិធ នៃការផ្ដល់លិខិតអនុញ្ញាតឬអាជ្ញាបណ្ណដល់អន្តរការី និងបុគ្គលផ្តល់សេវាពាណិជ្ជកម្មតាមប្រព័ន្ធអេឡិចត្រូនិក និងការលើកលែង)
Prakas No. 290 on the Issuance of Electronic Commerce Licenses and Permits (ប្រកាស ស្តីពី ការផ្ដល់លិខិតអនុញ្ញាត ឬអាជ្ញាបណ្ណពាណិជ្ជកម្មតាមប្រព័ន្ធអេឡិចត្រូនិក)
Sub-Decree No. 134 on Determination of Type, Formality and Procedure of the Issuance of Permit or Licence for Intermediaries and Online Service Providers via Electronic Platform and Its Exception (អ្នកលក់ ១៣៤ អនុក្រឹត្យ ស្តីពី ការកំណត់ប្រភេទ បែបបទ និងនីតិវិធ នៃការផ្ដល់លិខិតអនុញ្ញាតឬអាជ្ញាបណ្ណដល់អន្តរការី និងបុគ្គលផ្តល់សេវាពាណិជ្ជកម្មតាមប្រព័ន្ធអេឡិចត្រូនិក និងការលើកលែង)
Prakas No. 290 on the Issuance of Electronic Commerce Licenses and Permits (ប្រកាស ស្តីពី ការផ្ដល់លិខិតអនុញ្ញាត ឬអាជ្ញាបណ្ណពាណិជ្ជកម្មតាមប្រព័ន្ធអេឡិចត្រូនិក)
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). Furthermore, according to Art. 7.1, legal entities or foreign branches that are intermediaries of electronic-commerce service providers must apply for a license at the MOC and meet the following conditions: (i) business registration and tax registration with registered business activities relating to e-commerce; (ii) it must have obtained an Online Service Certificate and domain name from the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications; (iii) it must use an electronic application or means for operating e-commerce; (iv) the electronic system used by it must be accurate; (v) it must specify the payment method; (vi) it must have a business model and consumer protection form. If it is a legal entity or foreign branch acting as an intermediary, it must enter into a contract with the business service providers. Moreover, in October 2020, the MOC issued Prakas No. 290, which set the required documents for applying for e-commerce licenses and permits, and detailed procedures and timeframes for the MOC to review applications. The regulation also stipulates the timelines and procedures for renewing permits and licenses, among other things (Arts. 3–8).
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".
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). Furthermore, according to Art. 7.1, legal entities or foreign branches that are intermediaries of electronic-commerce service providers must apply for a license at the MOC and meet the following conditions: (i) business registration and tax registration with registered business activities relating to e-commerce; (ii) it must have obtained an Online Service Certificate and domain name from the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications; (iii) it must use an electronic application or means for operating e-commerce; (iv) the electronic system used by it must be accurate; (v) it must specify the payment method; (vi) it must have a business model and consumer protection form. If it is a legal entity or foreign branch acting as an intermediary, it must enter into a contract with the business service providers. Moreover, in October 2020, the MOC issued Prakas No. 290, which set the required documents for applying for e-commerce licenses and permits, and detailed procedures and timeframes for the MOC to review applications. The regulation also stipulates the timelines and procedures for renewing permits and licenses, among other things (Arts. 3–8).
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".
Coverage E-commerce sector
Sources
- https://web.archive.org/web/20230331173318/https://commerce-cambodia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/eCommerceLawEN.pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20220711214237/https://www.businessregistration.moc.gov.kh/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/sub-decree-on-E-commerce-signed-2.pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20240703140446/https://www.businessregistration.moc.gov.kh/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/prakas-e-commerce.pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20230330112034/https://kh.rajahtannasia.com/media/4089/2020_09_rtsh_sub_decree.pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20240718005430/https://www.loc.gov/item/global-legal-monitor/2021-08-29/cambodia-ministry-of-commerce-launches-new-licensing-regime-for-e-commerce-businesses/
- https://web.archive.org/web/20230923112716/https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=442bd243-f5af-4002-a3b4-b4d8c4e24f39
- https://web.archive.org/web/20201202064141/https://hbslaw.asia/images/Related-Publications/2020/Legal_Brief_Sub_Decree_No_134.pdf
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CAMBODIA
Since March 2021
Pillar Online sales and transactions |
Indicator Restrictions on online payments
Circular on E-KYC Guidance and Transaction Limit for Payment Service in Cambodia (សារាចរណែនាំ ស្តីពី នីតិវិធីស្គាល់អត្តសញ្ញាណអតិថិជន និងការកំណត់ទំ ប្រាក់ប្រតិបត្តិការ សម្រាប់សេវាទូទាត់សងប្រាក់នៅកម្ពុជា)
In March 2021, the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) issued the Circular on E-KYC Guidance and Transaction Limit for Payment Service in Cambodia, clarifying procedures and information required for payment service institutions to identify customers and set daily transaction limits for each customer type. The Circular established the Bakong Payment System by the NBC, which is a centralised platform that allows customers to make bank transfers across banks and payment institutions. Based on the Circular, the size of daily transactions permitted depends on the platform, the personal information provided by the customer, and the stage of the payment service institution’s review of the customer’s information. In accordance with the different customer risk levels, customer identification procedures are determined by the four following transaction types: (i) Transactions between Bakong Accounts; (ii) Transactions between Bakong Accounts and Bank Accounts/E-Wallet Accounts; (iii) Transactions between E-Wallet Accounts and E-Wallet Accounts/Bank Accounts and; (iv) Transactions between Bank Accounts and Bank Accounts via Bakong (Backbone).
For transactions falling under items 1 – 3 above, customers are classified into three categories:
- Basic Customers: The transaction limit is KHR 2 million (approx. USD 500) per day;
- Partial KYC: The transaction limit is KHR 12 million (approx. USD 3,000) per day;
- Full KYC: The transaction limit is KHR 40 million (approx. USD 10,000) per day.
- For transactions under item 4, customers are considered full KYC customers, and the transaction limit is KHR 200 million (approx. USD 50,000) per day.
For transactions falling under items 1 – 3 above, customers are classified into three categories:
- Basic Customers: The transaction limit is KHR 2 million (approx. USD 500) per day;
- Partial KYC: The transaction limit is KHR 12 million (approx. USD 3,000) per day;
- Full KYC: The transaction limit is KHR 40 million (approx. USD 10,000) per day.
- For transactions under item 4, customers are considered full KYC customers, and the transaction limit is KHR 200 million (approx. USD 50,000) per day.
Coverage Horizontal
Sources
- https://web.archive.org/web/20220706153026/https://www.nbc.org.kh/download_files/legislation/prakas_kh/Circular_on_E-KYC_and_transaction_limit.pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20230331130550/https://www.soksiphana.com/resources/alerts/national-bank-of-cambodia-issues-new-guidelines-on-payment-services/
- https://web.archive.org/web/20230321004409/https://www.dfdl.com/resources/legal-and-tax-updates/cambodia-new-transaction-amounts-know-your-customer-procedures-for-financial-institutions-payment-servic...
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CAMBODIA
Since July 2012
Pillar Online sales and transactions |
Indicator Threshold for ‘De Minimis’ rule
Circular 004 MEF on the Procedures for Low Value Goods
According to Circular 004 MEF on the Procedures for Low Value Goods, the de minimis threshold, that is, the minimum value of goods below which customs do not charge duties, is USD 50, below the USD 200 threshold recommended by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC).
Coverage Horizontal
Sources
- https://archive.org/stream/rgac2012/2012-55_U_djvu.txt
- https://web.archive.org/web/20250404134333/https://commerce-cambodia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/DFDL-Cambodia-Customs-Guide-2025-.pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20250708224943/https://customs.gov.kh/en/customs-procedures/386-postal-goods
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CAMBODIA
Since December 2021
Since April 2022
Since April 2022
Pillar Online sales and transactions |
Indicator Restrictions on domain names
Sub-Decree No. 287 On Management and Use of National Domain Names on the Internet (អនុក្រឹត្យលេខ ២៨៧ អនក្រ.បក ស្តីពីការគ្រប់គ្រងនិងការប្រើប្រាស់ឈ្មោះដែនជាតិនៅក្នុងប្រព័ន្ធអុីនធឺណិត)
Joint Notification No. 873
Joint Notification No. 873
Pursuant to Art. 7 of Sub-Decree No. 287 and Joint Notification No. 873, issued by the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) and the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications (MPTC), registered companies in Cambodia are required to use a local domain name such as ".com.kh" for their websites and email addresses. Furthermore, pursuant to Notification No. 837, issued in April 2022 by the MOC and MEF, all companies operating in Cambodia must use a national second-level domain name and an email address with that domain when filing annual declarations of commercial enterprises. Domain names are valid for 1 year before they must be renewed.
Coverage Horizontal
Sources
- https://web.archive.org/web/20221202163746/https://trc.gov.kh/wp-content/uploads/sub-decree/20220623_Sub_Decree_on_Managemnt%20of%20Domain%20name_FINAL.pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20230330045313/https://www.aseanbriefing.com/news/cambodian-companies-now-required-to-use-national-domain-name/
- https://web.archive.org/web/20230331121031/https://www.soksiphana.com/resources/alerts/notification-of-companies-obligation-in-using-the-national-domain/
- https://www.domain.gov.kh/help/how-to-register
- https://web.archive.org/web/20260226093425/https://www.state.gov/reports/2025-investment-climate-statements/cambodia
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CAMBODIA
Since November 2019
Since November 2019, entry into force in May 2020
Since November 2019, entry into force in May 2020
Pillar Online sales and transactions |
Indicator Framework for consumer protection applicable to online commerce
Royal Code No. NS/RKM/1119/016, Law on Consumer Protection (ច្បាប់ ស្តីពី កិច្ចការពារអ្នកប្រើប្រាស់)
E-Commerce Law (ច្បាប់ស្តីពី ពាណិជ្ជកម្មតាមប្រព័ន្ធអេឡិចត្រូនិក)
E-Commerce Law (ច្បាប់ស្តីពី ពាណិជ្ជកម្មតាមប្រព័ន្ធអេឡិចត្រូនិក)
The Law on Consumer Protection and the Law on Electronic Commerce provide a comprehensive framework for consumer protection that also applies to online transactions. According to Art. 27 of the Law on Consumer Protection, it is required for businesses to disclose information related to the kind, grade, safety, quantity, origin, function of use, maintenance, composition, design, assembly, usage, price, packaging, advertising or supplying, manufacturing date and expiry date, information about production or information related to the supply of goods or services. The application of these requirements to e-commerce is confirmed by Art. 33 of the Law on Electronic Commerce, which requires any person using electronic communications for commercial activities with consumers to comply with all other provisions and regulations related to consumer protection.
Coverage Horizontal
Sources
- https://unctad.org/page/cyberlaw-tracker-country-detail?country=kh
- https://web.archive.org/web/20240615222355/https://data.opendevelopmentmekong.net/dataset/de27171e-bbd5-43ca-be04-46d0d502ae43/resource/1ad116e5-3097-4375-8101-9a1fe49bed19/download/royal-code-consume...
- https://web.archive.org/web/20211129015932/https://aseanconsumer.org/file/pdf_file/Law-on-Consumer-Protection.pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20220721102828/https://www.ccfdg.gov.kh/pdf-view/?filename=https://www.ccfdg.gov.kh/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Khmer_Law-on-E-Commerce.pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20250805185649/https://data.opendevelopmentcambodia.net/en/dataset/01e7c661-fba8-4bed-820b-c7d5f1bf9f12/resource/b779a5aa-9ca9-47c8-8a12-55dd408e6171/download/ecommercelawe...
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CAMBODIA
N/A
Pillar Online sales and transactions |
Indicator Ratification of the UN Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts
Lack of signature of the UN Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts
Cambodia has not signed the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts.
Coverage Horizontal
CAMBODIA
Since November 2019, entry into force in May 2020
Pillar Online sales and transactions |
Indicator UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Commerce
E-Commerce Law (ច្បាប់ស្តីពី ពាណិជ្ជកម្មតាមប្រព័ន្ធអេឡិចត្រូនិក)
Cambodia enacted the E-Commerce Law, drawing upon the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Model Law on Electronic Commerce.
Coverage Horizontal
CAMBODIA
Since May 2018
Since December 2015
Since December 2015
Pillar Content access |
Indicator Blocking or filtering of commercial web content
Inter-Ministerial Proclamation No. 170 on the Management of Web-Based Advertising and Social Media in the Kingdom of Cambodia (ប្រកាសអន្តរក្រសួងលេខ ១៧០ ស្តីពី ការគ្រប់គ្រងការផ្សព្វផ្សាយតាមគេហទំព័រ និងបណ្តាញទំនាក់ទំនងសង្គម ដែលដំណើរការតាមប្រព័ន្ធអ៊ីនធឺណិត នៅព្រះរាជាណាក្រកម្ពុជា)
Law on Telecommunications (ច្បាប់ ស្តីពី ទូរគមនាគមន៍)
Law on Telecommunications (ច្បាប់ ស្តីពី ទូរគមនាគមន៍)
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.
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.
Coverage Social media, news and other websites
Sources
- https://web.archive.org/web/20230530112532/https://data.opendevelopmentmekong.net/vi/dataset/inter-ministerial-prakas-no-170-on-publication-controls-of-website-and-social-media-processing-via-/resourc...
- https://web.archive.org/web/20221115175855/https://asiacentre.org/wp-content/uploads/Internet-Freedoms-in-Cambodia-A-Gateway-to-Control.pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20260320223717/https://freedomhouse.org/country/cambodia/freedom-net/2024
- https://web.archive.org/web/20201230050919/https://www.voanews.com/east-asia-pacific/cambodian-government-blocks-15-independent-news-sites
- https://web.archive.org/web/20221208142940/https://www.licadho-cambodia.org/reports/files/214LICADHOTelecomsLawLegalAnalysis_March2016ENG.pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20230324071024/https://cyrilla.org/fr/entity/dncyvenfh2c?page=8
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CAMBODIA
Since November 2019
Since November 2022
Since November 2022
Pillar Content access |
Indicator Restrictions on online advertising
Royal Code No. NS/RKM/1119/016, Law on Consumer Protection (ច្បាប់ ស្តីពី កិច្ចការពារអ្នកប្រើប្រាស់)
Sub-Decree No. 232 on the Management of the Advertisement of Goods and Services (អនុក្រឹត្យលេខ ២៣២ អនក្រ.បក ស្តីពីការគ្រប់គ្រងការផ្សាយពាណិជ្ជកម្មទំនិញ និងសេវាកម្ម)
Sub-Decree No. 232 on the Management of the Advertisement of Goods and Services (អនុក្រឹត្យលេខ ២៣២ អនក្រ.បក ស្តីពីការគ្រប់គ្រងការផ្សាយពាណិជ្ជកម្មទំនិញ និងសេវាកម្ម)
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.
Coverage Horizontal
Sources
- https://web.archive.org/web/20220618161938/https://ibccambodia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Law-on-Consumer-Protection_EN.pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20240630220745/https://www.ccfdg.gov.kh/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/5_6298329077250000903.pdf
- https://sim.oecd.org/Simulator.ashx?lang=En&ds=DGSTRI&d1c=apf&d2c=khm
- https://web.archive.org/web/20230301224457/https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=12c6c43a-1655-4112-b51c-aa5d8166ed63
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CAMBODIA
Since December 2015
Pillar Content access |
Indicator Licensing schemes for digital services and applications
Law on Telecommunications (ច្បាប់ ស្តីពី ទូរគមនាគមន៍)
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.
Coverage VoIP and Internet café services
Sources
- https://web.archive.org/web/20230324071024/https://cyrilla.org/fr/entity/dncyvenfh2c?page=8
- https://web.archive.org/web/20220703201301/https://trc.gov.kh/wp-content/uploads/guideline/5_Guidline-Internet-Cafe.pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20230321013509/https://www.dfdl.com/resources/legal-and-tax-updates/investment-guide-telecommunications/
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