The Tunisian government has issued a new decree, numbered 1 of 2026, which amends Decree 54 of 2022. This decree was published in the Official Gazette on Wednesday, September 30, 2026. The new decree aims to revise certain provisions of Decree 54, which was enacted to combat cybercrimes. The amendments were made after four years of the decree's issuance.
The new decree consists of two articles, which replace and modify certain provisions of Decree 54. Article 1 of the new decree repeals Article 24 of Decree 54 and replaces it with new provisions. The new Article 24 sets out penalties for individuals who intentionally use information and communication networks to produce, promote, publish, send, or prepare false news, data, or documents.
According to the new Article 24, individuals who engage in such activities will be punished with a fine of 10,000 to 20,000 dinars. The same penalty applies to those who use information systems to publish or disseminate false news, documents, or data that contain personal information or untrue statements. The goal of such actions must be to harm the rights of others, national security, or to spread fear among the population.
In case of a repeat offense, the penalty will be increased to six months in prison and a fine of 50,000 dinars. The penalties will be doubled if the targeted person is a public official or equivalent. These amendments aim to strengthen the country's cybercrime laws and protect individuals and national security from online threats.
The new decree was issued after a meeting of the Council of Ministers, chaired by the President of the Republic, on Tuesday, September 29, 2026. The meeting discussed several draft decrees, including the amendments to Decree 54 of 2022. This is the first revision of Decree 54, which consists of 38 articles and aims to prevent and punish cybercrimes.
Decree 54 was enacted to regulate provisions related to preventing and punishing cybercrimes, as well as collecting electronic evidence and supporting international efforts in this field. The decree is based on international, regional, and bilateral agreements ratified by Tunisia. The new amendments reflect the government's efforts to adapt to emerging challenges in the field of cybersecurity.
The Tunisian government has demonstrated its commitment to combating cybercrimes and protecting national security and individual rights. The new amendments to Decree 54 are expected to enhance the country's legal framework for addressing cyber threats and promoting a safer online environment.
Key points
- The new decree introduces stricter penalties for cybercrimes, including fines and imprisonment.
- The amendments aim to protect national security, individual rights, and prevent the spread of false information online.
- This is the first revision of Decree 54, which was enacted in 2022 to combat cybercrimes in Tunisia.
