 |
| Facebook and other social media have been vital resources for Egyptian activists – and targets for successive governments. |
Egyptian MP proposes mandatory registration for social media users Prison sentences and fines for unauthorized use Critics cite increased surveillance and technical hurdles
The Egyptian government is considering radical new proposals to restrict citizens’ access to social media.
A draft bill circulated in Egyptian newspapers would require users to register with the government to access sites including Twitter and Facebook. Successful applicants would receive a login linked to their national ID. Unauthorized use could result in prison sentences and heavy fines.
The draft was authored by MP Reyad Abdel Sattar of the liberal Free Egyptians Party, the largest party in parliament with 65 of 596 seats. He told the Egypt Independent it would: “facilitate state surveillance over social networks in Egypt by making users enroll in a government-run electronic system that will grant them permission to access Facebook.”
Sattar said the reforms were necessary to combat terrorism and incitement against the state. He claims to have the support of 60 fellow MPs as the bill goes to parliamentary committees for review.
