Uzbekistan's parliament has voted to approve controversial legislation that would ban photographing and filming people without their explicit permission, raising serious concerns about the future of the country's booming tourism industry. The law, passed on October 7, requires either verbal or written consent from anyone being photographed or filmed, with violations carrying hefty fines of up to $1,364 and potential confiscation of camera equipment.
The legislation now awaits approval from the senate, though this step is widely considered a formality in the Central Asian nation. The new law specifically includes provisions protecting children under 16, requiring permission from parents or caregivers before any photographs can be taken. What makes this legislation particularly sweeping is its expansion from earlier drafts - while a 2020 version focused on prohibiting publication of images, the current version extends to include the "capture and storage" of photographs and recordings.
Anzor Bukharsky, a prominent Uzbek photographer who leads photo expeditions for tourists, expressed uncertainty about how the law would be enforced in practical situations. Speaking to RFE/RL, he questioned how the legislation would apply to crowd scenes and incidental figures in photographs, asking "Can a citizen claim that the person in the photograph is really them if they are wearing a gas mask or Santa Claus makeup?" These enforcement ambiguities highlight the potential complications the law could create for both tourists and local photographers.
While Uzbek lawmakers have framed the legislation as a privacy protection measure, critics suggest the real motivation may stem from a series of recent scandals involving corrupt police officers and government officials who were caught on camera engaging in questionable activities. This timing has raised suspicions that the law is designed more to shield authorities from scrutiny than to protect ordinary citizens' privacy rights.
The potential impact on Uzbekistan's tourism sector could be substantial. The country attracts millions of visitors annually who come to experience its stunning Silk Road architecture and rich cultural heritage. Bukharsky notes that today's tourists are increasingly younger and more adventurous compared to the elderly, package-tour demographic that predominated during the country's early years of independence. These modern travelers are drawn not just to historic monuments and religious sites, but to "the exoticism of the East: everyday life, national traditions, costumes, the narrow streets of the old part of the city, bazaars, and tandoors," he explained.
The photography ban could fundamentally change tourist experiences in popular destinations like the markets of Bukhara and the historic Registan square in Samarkand. Until now, visitors have been able to capture these authentic cultural experiences without restriction, and Uzbeks have generally been welcoming to photographers. However, the new law could shift this open culture, particularly in tourist-heavy areas where locals might become more cautious about appearing in photographs.
Beyond tourism concerns, media freedom advocates worry the legislation will provide authorities with a powerful tool to suppress independent journalism and activism. Bukharsky emphasized this concern, stating that "the most important thing is that this new law does not become a source of manipulation or tool for repression against 'unreliable' bloggers and media outlets." This fear reflects broader concerns about press freedom in a country where independent media already faces significant challenges.
Despite the law's passage, some observers believe it may not be strictly enforced, particularly given Uzbekistan's ambitious plans to expand its tourism industry during a period of growing international interest. One local commentator noted the country's tradition where "the harshness of our laws are compensated by the optional enforcement of them," suggesting that practical implementation may be more lenient than the legislation's strict language suggests. However, the mere existence of such broad restrictions could still have a chilling effect on both tourists and local photographers, potentially undermining Uzbekistan's efforts to position itself as a welcoming destination for international visitors.
