Octopus Cybercrime Community

The status of cybercrime legislation in the Maldives has seen significant advancements. The Penal Code of Maldives, Criminal Procedure Code, and Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Act were all amended on December 17, 2025, with the aim of aligning the legal framework with the international standards set by the Budapest Convention.

Expert technical assistance by the Council of Europe since 2020, was given to Maldives to conduct a study of the existing legal regime and draft the amendments in a manner that addressed local context while being in compliance with international best practice. Additionally, the Council of Europe assisted in drafting the electronic evidence chapter of the newly enacted Evidence Act, which came into force on January 18, 2023, replacing the Evidence Act of 1976. These legislative updates mark a substantial step forward in the Maldives' efforts to combat cybercrime effectively.

The Penal Code of Maldives has criminalized offences various cybercrimes.

• Unauthorized access to a computer system
• Unauthorized access to a computer system with intent to facilitate commission of further offences
• Unauthorized interception of computer data
• Unauthorized interference of computer data
• Unauthorized interference of computer systems
• Misuse of devices
• Child Pornography
• Revenge Pornography
• Cyber stalking
• Sextortion
• Computer-related forgery
• Computer-related fraud
• Infringement of Copyrights and related rights

Criminal Procedure Code (as amended on 17^th December 2024) gives various powers to law enforcement agencies to acquire electronic evidence considering the Budapest Convention as inspiration. With these amendments specific provisions regarding subscriber information, content information, traffic data, preservation and production order is available to law enforcement in the Maldives.