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Egypt president al-Sisi ratifies law clamping down on social media users

Under the new law, social media users with more than 5,000 followers will be subjected to censorship and prosecution over a host of vaguely-defined offences.

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Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi arrives at Beijing International Airport before the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), September 1 (Reuters)
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Tightening his control over the cybersphere, Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has ratified a law granting authorities the right to monitor social media users in the country.

According to the official gazette, under the new law, prominent social media personalities will be subjected to censorship and prosecution over a host of vaguely-defined offences. 

Under the new law, approved by Egypt's parliament in July, social media accounts with more than 5,000 followers will now have to follow the same rules as media platforms. The accounts of prominent personalities with significant social media influence may be blocked by the government for propagating “false news,” inciting violence or hatred, inciting discrimination, defamation and insulting religion.

The country's Supreme Council for Media Regulations will monitor people with more than 5,000 followers on social media or with a personal blog or website. The Council, which came into existence two years ago, will have the power to place people with more than 5,000 followers under supervision and impose binding judgments that may include heavy financial penalties.

According to the gazette issued on September 1, the council will be authorised to suspend or block any personal account which "publishes or broadcasts fake news or anything (information) inciting violating the law, violence or hatred".

Rights groups alleged that the new law is one of a series of measures aimed at curbing freedom of expression online. As the popularity of Sisi dwindles over economic hardship in the country, internet is one of the last forums for public debate.

Earlier in August, the president signed off a legislation which allows authorities, through a judge, to order the blocking of websites that "constitute a threat" to Egypt's national security or economy.

Under the law, people who administer or visit such websites, intentionally or "in error without a valid reason", can now face jail time and fines. According to the Cairo-based Association of Freedom of Thought and Expression, more than 500 websites have already been blocked in Egypt prior to the new law.

While rights activists have accused the government of seeking to crush dissent by arresting critics and bloggers and blocking news sites, authorities have insisted that they are needed to help tackle instability and terrorism in the country.

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