Ahmed Badawi, Chairman of the House of Representatives’ Communications and Information Technology Committee, announced the committee’s work plan for the new parliamentary session, confirming that its agenda will begin with discussions on the Digital Safety Law. The law prioritizes protecting children from the risks of social media, as well as protecting adults and Egyptian society from risks associated with social media use.
Badawi said the committee held six hearings during the first parliamentary session, attended by 14 ministers, heads of government agencies, government representatives, and representatives of online platforms. The hearings followed a presidential directive from President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to introduce legislation regulating children’s use of social media, during which the committee heard the views of all relevant parties on the proposed law.
He noted that technology laws are constantly evolving, as new developments emerge every day, making it necessary to regularly update legislation governing social media. He also revealed that another key aspect of the law will be establishing rules to protect adults from risks arising from harmful or misleading social media use, including online betting, defamation, and the spread of rumors, false information, and misinformation.
Badawi stressed that the law is expected to be completed within one month, following the required parliamentary procedures.
MP Mohsen Hatta, a member of the committee, said its agenda will also include assessing the legislative impact of certain laws to help regulate cyberspace, combat cybercrime, counter rumors, and criminalize those responsible for spreading them, in order to protect society from related risks and threats.
Hatta added that the committee will carry out its oversight and legislative responsibilities in a balanced manner, contributing to easing burdens on citizens, improving the quality of telecommunications and internet services, developing digital infrastructure, expanding digital government services, and supporting the information technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship sectors.
He concluded that the committee aims to keep pace with rapid technological developments, support digital transformation, and strengthen the protection of citizens in cyberspace.
🖋️Source: Al-Ahram Portal
