Egypt mulls new law to regulate social media platforms' access to users
Updated 1/31/2023 8:04:00 AM
Arab Finance: The Egyptian Supreme Council for Media Regulation (SCMR) is devising legislation that requires social media platforms to obtain a license to access mobile phone users in Egypt, Ahram Online reported on January 22nd, quoting the council’s head Karam Gabr as saying.
The new legislation aims to protect citizens, particularly children, from any dangerous ideas promoted by these platforms, said Gabr.
Several senators have called for controls on social media platforms, especially Tiktok, over concerns that they spread violence, extremism, and homosexuality.
The ideas and thoughts spread via these platforms are deemed as destructive to the Egyptian society, Senator Mohamed Emar said, urging the government to ban TikTok in Egypt.
As for video games, Gabr said that they are double-edged weapons for simultaneously having harmful and beneficial uses.
The number of citizens using social media platforms now in Egypt has reached 8 million, Gabr said, adding that this made the SCMR intervene to control the risks of using social media platforms and playing videogames.
In September 2022, the SCMR issued new regulations for online streaming platforms that require them to ensure their content adhere to social values and morals.
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