Azerbaijan expands extrajudicial website blocking authority
On July 10, 2026, Azerbaijan's parliament adopted significant amendments to the Law on Information, Informatization, and Information Protection, broadening the executive's power to block internet resources without prior judicial authorization.
Key Changes in the Law
Previously, extrajudicial blocking was limited to genuine emergencies where state or public interests were under immediate threat. The amended law now permits the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport to block websites that allegedly contain:
- Defamation or insults of individuals
- Invasion of private or family life
- Promotion of illegal drugs
- Pornographic material
- Promotion of gambling
- Content encouraging suicide
- Films or games lacking age-rating disclosure
- "False information that could endanger public safety"
The last category, "false information that could endanger public safety," is notably vague and lacks a statutory definition, raising concerns about potential overreach.
Historical Context and Expert Opinions
The original law, adopted in 1998, required a court order for internet blocking. Amendments in 2017 introduced temporary extrajudicial blocking in urgent cases, with mandatory court notification within five days. The July 2026 amendments represent the broadest expansion to date, removing the "emergency" limitation entirely for the newly added categories.
Legal experts have expressed concerns over the lack of precise legal definitions for terms like defamation, insult, and false information. This ambiguity makes it challenging to distinguish between legitimate content removal and the suppression of critical journalism. The new framework allows a single official to block content swiftly, potentially leading to the suppression of independent media and dissenting voices.
These developments have significant implications for internet freedom and the accessibility of independent information in Azerbaijan.
