Law to protect personal data endorsed by the Egyptian Cabinet

A new data protection law was approved by the Egyptian Cabinet on 7 August 2018. The bill, which has still not published, outlaws the collection, process, or disclosure of personal data without the legal permission or consent of the person in question. If the law is not complied with, a prison sentence of no less than one year and a fine between 100 – 100 000 Egyptian pounds (approximately USD$ 5605 – 56 050) shall be imposed. The new law aims at promoting investment and ‘organis[ing] transboundary movements and electronic marketing activities [in order] to control the process of electronic processing of personal data and to ensure the rights of citizens …’ explained Amr Talaat, Minister of Communication and Information Technology. The bill is still awaiting the approval of the Council of States and Parliament.