Egypt’s Parliament puts an end for rumor-mongers, MP

CAIRO – 24 July 2018: The deputy of the parliamentary Communication and Information Technology Committee, Ahmed Badawi, said on Monday that Egypt has been a target of 53,000 rumors which posed a threat on the national security during the last four months.

Badawi said in a phone call with the TV show “Public Opinion” that the Parliament approved a bill in May to combat cyber security crimes; the law contains articles that impose prison sentences or fine on those who promote rumors through social media platforms.

Badawi added that fake news cause an atmosphere of frustration among the users of social media websites.

Several rumors have circulated widely on social media, such as the one that claimed that the government is planning to fire many of its employees in accordance with the International Monetary Fund’s deal (IMF), and the rumor that claimed cancelling the ration cards of employees whose salaries exceed LE 1000.

Badawi said that people who launch unlicensed websites will face a punishment of not less than three years in prison or a fine of LE 100,000.

Parliament also approved article 9 of the cybercrime law, allowing the Attorney General or specialized investigative authorities to impose travel bans on persons charged with committing or attempting to commit cybercrimes, if enough evidence against them exists.

In April, Parliament’s Communications and Information Technology Committee approved the draft cybercrime law, which aims to pose surveillance on social media and limit the spread of fake news, particularly those that incite violence.