Latest news with #CybercrimeLaw
Mada
03-08-2025
- Politics
- Mada
Seven TikTokers arrested on immorality charges as authorities respond to campaign against ‘vulgar' content
At least seven content creators have been arrested over recent days by security forces, according to a statement issued by the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights on Sunday. The crackdown comes amid the resurgence of a campaign spearheaded by social media users and lawyers seeking to prosecute content creators, mainly women, for publishing material deemed morally offensive on TikTok and other platforms. The Interior Ministry commented on several of the arrests which it said were made after dozens of complaints were filed with authorities against several TikTokers for publishing content that violates 'public morals.' Similar accusations have previously been used by authorities to justify the arrest of dozens of content creators over the past five years, particularly women publishing on TikTok. This time a government regulatory agency has met with the application's regional representative to discuss changes to content moderation and standards, according to MP Ahmed al-Badawy. Among those directly targeted by the campaign were influencers Om Makka and Om Sagda, who produce comedy videos on Tiktok. The Interior Ministry announced on Friday that it had arrested both women, stating that they were detained due to complaints that they published videos containing 'indecent language' and transgressing 'public decency' as well as complaints regarding their 'sources of wealth.' When questioned, the ministry said both women attested to publishing content of this kind in order to 'increase their views' and generate financial gain. However, lawyer Hany Sameh, who has previously acted to defend women accused in similar cases, questioned the legal pretext for the arrests, pointing to the lack of legal definition for the moral charges often used to prosecute women making online content. 'Whoever talks about values must define them, because these definitions are important,' Sameh told Mada Masr. He added that charges of offending social values under Articles 25 and 26 of the Cybercrime Law, are unconstitutional due to their vague language and lack of clear legal definition. 'Are they the values of the North Coast or the Fifth Settlement? Salafi values? Or whose values exactly?,' Sameh asked. The lawyer also pointed to the contradiction between accusations made against women TikTokers and the provisions of the law regulating the censorship of creative works, which rules that artistic and cinematic productions should align with social values and norms. 'What the TikTok girls did doesn't even amount to a tenth of what was shown in last Ramadan's TV series, so why were they arrested?,' Sameh asked. In its Sunday statement, the EIPR called on the Interior Ministry and Public Prosecution to stop using moral or class-based charges against digital content creators. The fiscal allegations against Om Makka and Om Sagda's sources of income are also unjustified, according to Sameh, who said that private individuals or businesses should not be liable to complaints filed regarding illicit gains. The Interior Ministry said that both influencers' 'sources of wealth' were called into question in the legal complaints submitted against them, but illicit gains charges can only be levelled at the directors of government agencies and Parliament members, Sameh said. 'As for accusations and reports of tax evasion,' he continued, 'no action may be taken in these cases except upon a special request from the Finance Ministry, which provides a reconciliation route as well as a legal one.' The security campaign against the TikTokers comes in parallel with the resurgence of a years old social media campaign titled ' Let's Clean It Up.' Posters have used the hashtag in recent days in posts mentioning a number of TikTokers by name alongside calls for the platform to be either taken offline in Egypt or moderated to prevent 'vulgarity' and a threat to the stability of Egyptian society. Among the named Tik Tok creators was Suzy al-Ordoniya, who has faced ongoing legal action over recent months in relation to her online activity. She was arrested from her home on Saturday according to media reports, due to complaints related to her content. Suzy was arrested prior to that in March, when she was held for 15 days in remand detention on charges of joining a terrorist organization and publishing false news. The Juvenile Appeals Court also overturned a two-year prison sentence against her in January, fining her with LE300,000 instead. According to EIPR, over 32 lawyers have acted alongside the social media campaign to file official complaints against ten TikTokers, eight of whom are women. Domestic media reported that the complaints were filed in the Agouza, Warraq, Dokki and Imbaba police districts. The campaign, first launched in 2020, is behind the surge in content creator arrests over the past few days, EIPR said, adding that, 'at its peak, this campaign has been accompanied by moral and security panics, sometimes over allegations of human trafficking and other allegations of organ trafficking.' Over the past five years, EIPR lawyers alone received, reviewed or monitored 109 different cases targeting content creators, the organization said, including over 151 individuals accused of attacking 'Egyptian family values.' The organization anticipated that it expects the scale of the current arrest campaign to be much wider. The campaign is already being reinforced by official steps to address content moderation, according to Ahmed Badawy, head of the House Telecommunications Committee that produces much of the regulation around digital spaces and activity in Egypt, who commented on the arrests in an interview on Al-Nahar TV channel on Saturday. Badawy said that recent meetings between the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority and TikTok's regional director, held in the presence of the House Telecommunications Authority, were convened to address concerns over content on the platform. The committee requested that the platform's content be improved, Badawy said, citing violations of regulations and standards, as well as breaches of the Cybercrime Law and the Law on Combating Information Technology Crimes. Badawy added that TikTok's representative requested a three-month time-frame to address the violations. Defending the arrests, Badawy said that, 'when there is a violation of the law, we apply the law,' pointing to the information technology law and legislation on 'broadcasting unacceptable material that does not comply with controls and standards.' Badawy also stated that continued legal violations through the broadcast of 'unacceptable content' warrants an immediate block of the application, adding that many countries have previously warned or banned apps that violated their laws. 'Any post today that violates regulations, standards or the law is being taken down,' the MP said, adding that the continued publishing of such violations — including indecent videos that go against the customs, traditions, values, and morals of society — requires state intervention to preserve social values and ethics.'
Middle East Eye
20-07-2025
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
Prominent Jordanian MP arrested over Facebook post criticising government
Jordanian security forces arrested Yanal Freihat a prominent member of the Islamic Action Front (IAF) party on Sunday. Freihat later released on bail, pending an investigation into a Facebook post that allegedly violated the country's Cybercrime Law. The public prosecutor ordered Freihat's detention for one week after he criticised a government statement accusing the Muslim Brotherhood of illegally collecting 30 million dinars ($42 million), while also questioning the government's version of events. Freihat is widely seen as one of Jordan's leading conservative members of parliament. He has consistently won in past elections and enjoys broad popular support. In the September 2024 parliamentary elections, he received 18,000 votes—one of the highest counts nationwide. In that same election, the IAF—the political arm of the Muslim Brotherhood—secured the largest number of votes, largely due to its strong stance on the Palestinian cause. Over the past two months, Jordan's intelligence agency has detained and interrogated hundreds of people who have shown solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, in what is the largest arrest campaign to have taken place in the kingdom in decades. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters Freihat's arrest marks the most significant escalation against the IAF to date. He is the first sitting MP to be detained since Jordan's security crackdown on the conservative movement began in April, when the government formally banned the Muslim Brotherhood. Why is the Jordan targeting the Muslim Brotherhood? At the time, Interior Minister Mazin Abdellah Hilal al-Farrayeh announced that promoting the Brotherhood's "ideology" was now illegal. In a press conference, he declared a total ban on the group, saying that 'any activity by the group, regardless of its nature, is considered a violation of the law.' Authorities shut down the group's offices, confiscated its assets, and outlawed all forms of affiliation or contact. Farrayeh warned that anyone proven to be linked to the group's activities would face criminal prosecution. Jordan targeting Gaza solidarity in largest arrest campaign in decades Read More » Jordan's Court of Cassation had already ruled in July 2020 that the Muslim Brotherhood lacked legal standing in the country, ordering its dissolution. In April, Jordan's General Intelligence Department said it had arrested a 16-member armed cell allegedly planning to manufacture drones and missiles to support Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. The case was transferred to the State Security Court, and a gag order was imposed on any reporting. Since then, security services have launched a broad campaign of arrests targeting the Muslim Brotherhood. Among those detained was Ahmed al-Zarqan, the Brotherhood's deputy leader, who remains imprisoned. Murad al-Adayleh, the group's general supervisor, was also summoned for questioning but later released. Founded in Cairo in 1928, the Muslim Brotherhood is one of the best-known political Islam groups in the world. It insists on peaceful democratic participation but is banned in several countries including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Bahrain, where governments view it as a threat to their rule.
Ammon
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Ammon
Amman Public Prosecutor summons MP Yanal Fraihat
Ammon News - The Amman Public Prosecutor has summoned MP Yanal Fraihat in connection with a recent social media post expressing support for the banned Muslim Brotherhood group and questioning the legal actions taken against it. The content of Fraihat's post violates provisions of the Cybercrime Law.
Zawya
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Oman: Majlis A'Shura refers draft heritage, cybercrime laws to State Council
Muscat – Majlis A'Shura on Tuesday concluded discussions on key legislative proposals, referring draft amendments to the Cultural Heritage Law and the Cybercrime Law to the State Council for further review. The session was chaired by Tahir Mabkhout al Junaibi, Deputy Chairman of the Council, with full attendance from council members. At the opening of the session, Junaibi reaffirmed the Shura's solidarity with Qatar and condemned any violations of the sovereignty of Gulf Cooperation Council states. He reiterated Oman's commitment to peace and stability in the region, calling on all parties to exercise restraint and uphold international law. The proposed changes to the Cultural Heritage Law were presented by Abdullah Hamad al Harthy, Chairman of the Media, Tourism and Culture Committee. The amendments aim to improve the protection and management of Oman's archaeological and historical sites. They include stricter penalties for violations and propose mechanisms for the registration and preservation of cultural landmarks, while encouraging private sector investment aligned with conservation goals. Dr Talal Said al Mahabai, Deputy Chairman of the Legal Committee, provided legal analysis to ensure the amendments align with Oman's broader legal framework. Members of the council supported the proposal, highlighting the urgency of updating legislation to reflect global standards in heritage preservation. The Shura also reviewed the draft Cybercrime Law, presented by Dr Ahmed Said al Saadi, Chairman of the Legislative and Legal Committee. The law addresses issues such as financial fraud, data breaches, cyber sabotage, hacking, and online hate speech. It broadens the scope of punishable offences, increases penalties, and seeks to balance cybersecurity enforcement with individual rights. The Shura approved a report by the Public Services and Utilities Committee on a draft air services agreement between Oman and the Netherlands covering the territory of Curaçao. The agreement is intended to enhance civil aviation ties and support Oman's positioning as a regional logistics hub. In other discussions, the council reviewed and approved committee reports on several development areas. A report on telecommunications, presented by Dr Hamoud Ahmed al Yahyai, called for expanded infrastructure, improved service quality, and digital access in rural areas. The Health and Social Committee, through Mansour Zaher al Hajri, recommended greater investment incentives in private healthcare, along with a call for balanced public-private healthcare services. The Education, Research and Innovation Committee, represented by Dr Mohammed Nasser al Mahrouqi, urged stronger links between academic research and economic outputs, proposing greater private sector collaboration and support for entrepreneurship. Abdullah Zaher al Hinai, speaking for the Digital Economy Taskforce, proposed a digital economy governance framework, legislation for tech startups, and investment in sectors like semiconductors. The report also suggested establishing a sovereign digital assets registry and modernising e-commerce regulations. The Social Protection Taskforce, led by Dr Hamoud Mohammed al Yahyai, highlighted gaps in benefit distribution and called for the formation of a national entitlements committee. It recommended aligning benefits with inflation and consolidating welfare responsibilities under the Social Protection Fund. Finally, the Youth and Human Resources Committee, presented by Younis Ali al Mandhari, addressed wage protection in the private sector. It proposed legal reforms and technical measures to ensure timely wage payments and enhance labour rights enforcement. © Apex Press and Publishing Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Muscat Daily
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Muscat Daily
Majlis A'Shura refers draft heritage, cybercrime laws to State Council
Muscat – Majlis A'Shura on Tuesday concluded discussions on key legislative proposals, referring draft amendments to the Cultural Heritage Law and the Cybercrime Law to the State Council for further review. The session was chaired by Tahir Mabkhout al Junaibi, Deputy Chairman of the Council, with full attendance from council members. At the opening of the session, Junaibi reaffirmed the Shura's solidarity with Qatar and condemned any violations of the sovereignty of Gulf Cooperation Council states. He reiterated Oman's commitment to peace and stability in the region, calling on all parties to exercise restraint and uphold international law. The proposed changes to the Cultural Heritage Law were presented by Abdullah Hamad al Harthy, Chairman of the Media, Tourism and Culture Committee. The amendments aim to improve the protection and management of Oman's archaeological and historical sites. They include stricter penalties for violations and propose mechanisms for the registration and preservation of cultural landmarks, while encouraging private sector investment aligned with conservation goals. Dr Talal Said al Mahabai, Deputy Chairman of the Legal Committee, provided legal analysis to ensure the amendments align with Oman's broader legal framework. Members of the council supported the proposal, highlighting the urgency of updating legislation to reflect global standards in heritage preservation. The Shura also reviewed the draft Cybercrime Law, presented by Dr Ahmed Said al Saadi, Chairman of the Legislative and Legal Committee. The law addresses issues such as financial fraud, data breaches, cyber sabotage, hacking, and online hate speech. It broadens the scope of punishable offences, increases penalties, and seeks to balance cybersecurity enforcement with individual rights. The Shura approved a report by the Public Services and Utilities Committee on a draft air services agreement between Oman and the Netherlands covering the territory of Curaçao. The agreement is intended to enhance civil aviation ties and support Oman's positioning as a regional logistics hub. In other discussions, the council reviewed and approved committee reports on several development areas. A report on telecommunications, presented by Dr Hamoud Ahmed al Yahyai, called for expanded infrastructure, improved service quality, and digital access in rural areas. The Health and Social Committee, through Mansour Zaher al Hajri, recommended greater investment incentives in private healthcare, along with a call for balanced public-private healthcare services. The Education, Research and Innovation Committee, represented by Dr Mohammed Nasser al Mahrouqi, urged stronger links between academic research and economic outputs, proposing greater private sector collaboration and support for entrepreneurship. Abdullah Zaher al Hinai, speaking for the Digital Economy Taskforce, proposed a digital economy governance framework, legislation for tech startups, and investment in sectors like semiconductors. The report also suggested establishing a sovereign digital assets registry and modernising e-commerce regulations. The Social Protection Taskforce, led by Dr Hamoud Mohammed al Yahyai, highlighted gaps in benefit distribution and called for the formation of a national entitlements committee. It recommended aligning benefits with inflation and consolidating welfare responsibilities under the Social Protection Fund. Finally, the Youth and Human Resources Committee, presented by Younis Ali al Mandhari, addressed wage protection in the private sector. It proposed legal reforms and technical measures to ensure timely wage payments and enhance labour rights enforcement.
