Egypt

ITIF report on Egypt's Content Moderation Regulation updated: The ITIF report on Egypt's content moderation regulation was updated.

ITIF report on Egypt's Content Moderation Regulation: The ITIF published a report detailing Egypt's content moderation regulation, highlighting the expansive authority of the SCMR under the 2018 Press and Media Law and the Anti-Cyber and Information Technology Crimes Law.

Penalties for publishing indecent material on social media: Article 178 of the Penal Code and Law No. 10 of 1961 on Combating Prostitution outline penalties for publishing indecent material on social media, including imprisonment and fines.

SCMR orders Amazon Prime Video to remove content: The Supreme Council for Media Regulation (SCMR) ordered Amazon Egypt's Prime Video platform to remove content deemed 'inconsistent with the religious values of Egyptian and Arab societies,' with Amazon complying within 24 hours.

SCMR and NTRA announce plans to block unlicensed platforms: The Supreme Council for Media Regulation (SCMR) and the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA) announced plans to block all unlicensed digital platforms within three months and ordered banks to halt financial transfers to 'illegally' operating platforms.

SCMR blocks Mada Masr website: The Supreme Council for Media Regulation (SCMR) officially blocked the independent website Mada Masr for six months, citing 'practicing media activities without a license' and 'publishing false news' after it reported on the potential reception of Palestinian refugees.

Egyptian senate discusses banning TikTok: The Egyptian senate discussed banning TikTok and 'other similar applications that fail to meet the nation’s safety policies and standards,' though TikTok remained available at the end of the coverage period.

TikTok influencer Salma el-Shimy sentenced: TikTok influencer Salma el-Shimy was sentenced to two years in prison and fined $3,230 for social media content promoting body positivity, a sentence later reduced on appeal.

SCMR introduces age ratings for TV content: Egypt's Supreme Council of Media Regulation (SCMR) launched the 'Egyptian Child Behaviour Code' and introduced age ratings for TV content, banning 'obscene scenes' and raising concerns over popular adult puppet shows.

Cybercrime Law (Law No. 175 of 2018) becomes effective: The Anti-Cyber and Information Technology Crimes Law (Law No. 175 of 2018) became effective, authorizing blocking of websites deemed a threat to national security and punishing individuals visiting banned sites.

Cybercrime Law (Law No. 175 of 2018) ratified: President Sisi ratified the Anti-Cyber and Information Technology Crimes Law (Law No. 175 of 2018), which authorizes blocking of websites deemed a threat to national security and punishes individuals visiting banned sites.

Proposed laws an assault on online freedoms: Amnesty International reported that Egyptian authorities were pushing through new media and cybercrime laws that would give the state near-total control over print, online, and broadcast media, increasing powers to monitor, censor, and block content.

Court orders ban on porn websites, contradicting previous ruling: An Egyptian administrative court ordered the prime minister to take measures to censor pornography websites, a decision immediately enforceable but contradicting a 2013 ruling that had allowed pornography online.

Public prosecutor orders ISPs to block pornographic websites: Egypt’s public prosecutor ordered the country’s internet service providers to block pornographic websites, a move popular with religious conservatives but condemned by liberals fearing broader censorship.

Ministry of Communications details difficulties in porn ban: The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) claimed that a complete ban on pornography was unfeasible due to the millions of sites and users' ability to circumvent restrictions, despite the prosecutor general's order.

State prosecutor orders ban on internet pornography: Egypt's state prosecutor, Abdel Maguid Mahmoud, ordered a ban on Internet pornography, citing an earlier ruling that hadn't been implemented, stating such websites are 'inconsistent with the values and traditions of the Egyptian people and the higher interests of the state.'

Administrative court orders mandatory blocking of internet sites: An Egyptian administrative court ordered mandatory blocking of internet sites in an attempt to prevent pornography, citing Egypt’s religious nature and its 'traditions, morals and ethics'.

Administrative court bans internet pornography: An administrative court banned Egyptians from surfing the Internet for pornography and ordered the state to block X-rated websites, citing that such sites spread immorality and destroy religious beliefs, ethics, and moral values.

Telecom Minister announces plans to block internet pornography: Minister of Telecommunications and Information Technology Mohamed Salem announced that the government is taking steps to completely block internet pornography in Egypt, and a committee would be formed to lay out technical methods.

Cairo court rules to block porn sites: A Cairo court ruled that the Egyptian government must ban access to pornographic websites because they are deemed offensive to religion and society's values. This ruling was not immediately enforced under former President Hosni Mubarak's rule.