Due to the increasing developments of the internet, maintaining personal data has become very difficult. Hence, under the state’s efforts to prevent illegal spreading of personal data over the internet, the country will apply data protection regulation in Egyptian Law.
The data protection regulations were finally approved by parliament on Monday, June 17. The regulations are to protect data and privacy for all Egyptian citizens and European Union citizens in Egypt.
The regulations contain provisions and requirements pertaining to the processing of personal data of individuals.
However, the personal data considered to be information about the individual can identify them directly or indirectly, using names or pictures, or any other data identifying the individual’s economic, cultural, or social conditions.
Meanwhile sensitive personal data is what reveals the physical, or mental health, the financial, religious data, and political opinions also are sensitive data.
The data protection regulation obliges companies which deal with personal data to follow these regulations.
Personal data may not be collected, processed, or disclosed by any means without permission from the concerned person. The law shall punish any person that does not comply by imprisonment for a period of not less than three months and a fine between EGP 100,000 and EGP 1m.
Moreover, the second article of the law prohibits the collection, transfer, storage, preservation, or processing of sensitive personal data, or making it available without a license from the centre, with the obligation to obtain written consent of the concerned person.
Article 14 prohibits the transfer or sharing of personal data to a foreign country, except by a license from the centre. The law would fine any person between EGP 300,000 and EGP 3m.
For electronic commercials, article 18 requires permission from the receiver to get any commercial messages.
Any violation can lead to imprisonment or a fine from EGP 100,000 up to EGP 1m.
