Let's Encrypt has banned certificate issuance and renewal in any US-sanctioned territories. The certificate authority implemented this policy to comply with US sanctions regulations, affecting websites and services in regions like Crimea, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, and parts of Ukraine.

The technical implications are substantial. SSL certificates issued previously will continue to function, but new certificates cannot be obtained. Organizations in sanctioned territories now face obstacles to renewing expired certificates or implementing HTTPS security, potentially exposing users to security risks.

This policy creates a digital divide where users in sanctioned territories experience reduced access to secure internet services. Affected organizations must now consider alternative solutions such as using certificate authorities not bound by US regulations, creating a difficult trade-off between compliance and accessibility.